BSWML report estimates that over 3,000 million litres of leachate has accumulated in two landfills in Bengaluru, processing to cost ₹553 crore over four years

The report proposes two leachate treatment plants of 2 MLD processing capacity, at a cost of ₹1.68 per litre, adding up to ₹553 crore to treat the entire backlog of leachate accumulated in quarry pits in Mittaganahalli and Kannur landfill sites.

A report of the Bangalore Solid Waste Management Limited (BSWML) has estimated that a total of 3,074 million litres (ML) leachate has accumulated in Mittaganahalli and Kannur landfill sites, and it will take nearly four years and around ₹553 crore to treat it. These empty stone quarry pits have been used as landfills where garbage has been dumped for over 10 years.

Leachate is essentially water that has percolated through solid waste, which has a pungent odour severely polluted. Residents of villages around these landfills often complain of leachate polluting the underground water table in these areas. Leachate can be treated, like sewage, to reduce this pollution.

The quantification was done by RITES Limited, a public sector enterprise operating under the Ministry of Railways, to issue tenders to set up two leachate treatment plants. Based on the area of the empty quarry pit, amount of waste dumped every day and hydrological parameters, RITES has estimated that the total leachate collected in these pits is about 3,074.8 ML.

However, the quantum is estimated to increase by 230.60 ML. This is due to the probable nine months gap between estimated date and commencement of processing, due to the time it may take for the tenders to be processed and work to begin.

The report proposes two leachate treatment plants of 2 MLD processing capacity, at a cost of ₹1.68 per litre, adding up to ₹553 crore to treat the entire backlog of leachate accumulated in these quarry pits.

Harish Kumar, CEO, BSWML, said that estimation of ₹1.68 per litre is lesser than the prevailing market rate, which is about ₹4 to ₹6.

However, an activist is of the opinion that the estimated cost is too high. Besides, the activist added, the report only talks about primary treatment, but not of secondary and tertiary treatments. Considering these two, the cost will go up further.