Karachi: Karachi is generating more than 14,800 tonnes of solid waste every day. Karachi’s garbage crisis has reached an alarming level. It is now producing more waste than cities like Dhaka, Delhi and Mumbai. This information was revealed by a senior Official of Sindh Solid Waste Management Board (SSWMB).
Director Tariq Ali Nizamani, SSWMB Managing Director while speaking on a seminar on Sustainable Urban Waste Solutions said District Central alone produces 3,000 tonnes of waste daily. This is the highest among all Karachi’s districts.
Organic Waste makes up about 42 percent of Karachi’s garbage. This waste could be converted into biogas or compost if proper segregation systems were in place. A quarter of Pakistan’s recyclable plastic waste in generated by Karachi.
Mr. Nizamani also revealed that SSWMP’s first biogas plant at Bagh Ibne Qasim would begin operating on December 15. The plant will provide low-cost cooking gas to 70-80 nearby households at subsidized rate of Rs. 2000 per month and the plant would process up to seven tonnes of livestock waste daily.
The plant will also produce electricity to address power shortages at parks. However, this will happen in the next phase. For Cattle Colony another large biogas plant is planned. This will help untreated cattle waste from polluting the sea.
He also added that once the board receives legal approval to impose penalties then the heavy vehicles that scatter garbage on the roads will be fined up to Rs. 20, 000.
The SSWMP has deployed more than 13,000 workers and 2,300 vehicles for city wide waste collection according to Nizamani. The department will be using real-time technology to track waste movement from households to landfill sites.
A round the clock mobile app, call center and helpline will also be available for public complaints.
Another project funded by World Bank is underway to build new garbage transfer stations and a fully engineered sanitary landfill for Karachi.
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