ISLAMABAD, Oct 19 (APP):Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhary on Monday informed the National Assembly that the Capital Development Authority (CDA) would shift solid waste dumped between sectors I-10 and I-11 to a designated depot in I-9 within the next two to three months to address environmental and public health concerns.
Responding to a Calling Attention Notice by MNA Asiya Naz Tanoli regarding the dumping of garbage between sectors I-10 and I-11, which had caused environmental pollution, foul smells, potential groundwater contamination and serious public health risks, he said the waste transfer operation had resumed, with around 700 metric tonnes of solid waste being transported daily.
He said Islamabad generated approximately 300 metric tonnes of solid waste daily, while the accumulated waste at the site had not been transferred for around six months due to certain issues.
The minister said the CDA had already developed a designated facility in I-9, which was expected to become fully operational within two to three months. Once operational, the facility would receive the city’s solid waste, eliminating the need for continued dumping at the existing site.
Highlighting the need for a sustainable waste management system, he said the government had awarded a contract for solid waste management in Islamabad’s rural areas, including Zones III and IV, to a Turkish company.
He said the government planned to extend the system to the city’s sectors in the next phase through a transparent process, engaging qualified national or international firms.
Talal Chaudhary also stressed the need to introduce a fair user-fee system for waste collection, pointing out that residents in several sectors were receiving the service without paying an adequate share of its cost.
He said the proposed fee structure would take into account the differences between rural and urban areas, with separate charges for residential sectors and rural localities.
The minister also referred to the low recovery of water charges in Islamabad, saying the government needed to improve cost recovery for municipal services to ensure their sustainable provision.
He said the government was committed to resolving the solid waste management issue on a permanent basis through improved infrastructure, private-sector participation and a transparent fee collection mechanism.
Speaking on the issue, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr.Tariq Fazal Chaudhary said the government was taking measures to strengthen solid waste management in Islamabad, with a permanent disposal site acquired on Chak Beli Road in Rawalpindi district to address waste disposal challenges.
He said Islamabad had a comprehensive solid waste management programme, but waste collection and disposal in some rural areas remained a challenge.
He said solid waste management in the city’s main sectors, including I-10 and I-11, was being handled by the CDA’s own sanitation staff, while waste management services in rural areas had previously been outsourced.
The minister said the CDA had acquired modern machinery to improve sanitation services and ensure a cleaner urban environment.
He added that keeping the capital clean and reducing environmental pollution were among the government’s top priorities, in line with the directions of the prime minister and the relevant minister.
He said temporary dumping sites had been established at different locations in Islamabad, while a permanent solid waste disposal site had now been secured on Chak Beli Road in coordination with the Rawalpindi authorities.
The minister said waste would be disposed of at the designated permanent site, while efforts were under way to improve sanitation and solid waste management across both urban and rural areas of the capital.
He expressed confidence that the measures would address public complaints regarding waste dumping and help maintain Islamabad’s environment in line with its status as the country’s capital.
Source: APP (Associated Press of Pakistan)
