CAG finds violations in implementation of bio-mining project at Kurumbapet dump yard

The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has found violations by the Puducherry government in adhering to the terms and conditions of the project for reclamation of Kurumbapet dump yard through bio-remediation and bio-mining.

The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has found violations by the Puducherry government in adhering to the terms and conditions of the project for reclamation of Kurumbapet dump yard through bio-remediation and bio-mining, while auditing the solid waste management programme till March 2022.

As per Solid Waste Management rules, Urban Local Bodies are mandated to evolve projects for reclamation of old open dumpsites and existing operational dumpsites through bio-mining and bio-remediation. The reclamation of Kurumbapet dump yard commenced in 2019 after the National Green Tribunal (NGT) issued a direction to the Puducherry government.

A detailed project report for bio-mining of the dumpsite was finalised in August 2020 to dispose of a legacy waste of 4,97,932 MT. In June 2021, the work was awarded to Zigma Global Environ Solutions, Erode, to process and dispose of the accumulated waste at the rate of ₹770 per tonne. As per the terms and conditions of the agreement, the payment has to be made based on the weighment system of waste processed, and the release of payment was to be linked to the achievement of land reclamation.

“As of July 2022, the concessionaire had processed 2,23,841 tonnes and disposed of 77,916 tonne of waste, for which he was paid a sum of ₹12.27 crore. It was observed that, the concessionaire had disposed of only 77, 916 tonne of waste, for which he was eligible only for a payment of ₹6 crore, as the processed waste of 1,45,925 tonnes was yet to be disposed from the dump yard. This implies that the concessionaire had only processed the waste, but was yet to reclaim the land as per the terms of contract. Thus, the concessionaire was extended an undue benefit of ₹6. 27 crore towards undisposed waste and unreclaimed land,” the CAG report noted.

An inspection by the audit team revealed that leachate generated at the yard was allowed to stagnate around the dumpsite and flow onto the approach road. The government had also failed to utilise around 2.6 acre of land at Kurumbapet for establishing a processing unit. The utilisation of the land for dumping fresh waste would put an additional financial burden of ₹29.51 crore on the government for clearing fresh waste through bio-mining.  

As for other waste management projects in the Union Territory, the report pointed out that non-acceptance of lowest tender for the creation of Material Recovery Facility at Yanam resulted in avoidable expenditure of ₹94.25 lakh in 2021. The government also failed to recover 12 acre of waste dump yard at Karuvadikkupam through bio-remediation.