Pakistan’s first ever scientific disposal site at Lakhodair gets operational 18 April 2016, Lahore
Pakistan’s first ever scientific disposal site at Lakhodair gets operational 18 April 2016, Lahore
The first two cells of Lahore Waste Management Company’s historic initiative the Sanitary Landfill Site recently constructed at Lakhodair has started working beginning a new era in Solid Waste Management & waste disposal culture in the country. With the functioning of these cells (LOT-I & LOT-II), 200 to 2500 tons of waste can be managed on daily basis in an environment friendly and scientific manner minimizing the environmental hazards of toxic effects of waste. Chairman LWMC Mehar Ishtiaq along with experts from Istanbul Municipality (ISTAC) monitored and reviewed operational work started jointly by LWMC officials and Turkish experts. Chief Financial Officer Moeez-ur-Rahman, General Manager Procurement & Contract Abid Butt, General Manager Operations Asif Iqbal, General Manager HR & Admin Colonel Asad Farooq, Senior Manager Operation & Landfill Site Saeed Khan, Senior Manager Operation Suhail Anwar Malik were also present on the occasion.
This first ever scientific disposal facility in Pakistan expanded on 52 hectares of land at a strategic location almost 5km away from Mehmood Booti dumpsite meeting all international standards required for a waste disposal site. Functioning of initial two cells i.e. LOT- I & LOT-II will help dispose of 2000 to 2500 tons of waste daily with no repercussions over underground water or atmosphere. The major features of landfill site are the leachate collection and recirculation system along methane capturing systems. The disposal of waste through this landfill will not contaminate the groundwater and soil and will help in improving the public health and environment. The methane gas captured after the closure of cells will subsequently be used in production of electricity.
This waste disposal facility has been constructed by world’s renowned construction firm NESPAK in consultation with experts of Turkish company CEVKA. Experts from Istanbul Municipality (ISTAC) will remain with LWMC experts for monitoring of work and to provide their feedback to maintain standard and quality. “Construction of LOT-I & LOT-II has cost Rs 1 billion” said chairman LWMC Mehar Ishtiaq. “On the special directions of Chief Minister Punjab Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, experts from Istanbul Municipality has also visited major cities of Punjab including Faisalabad, Multan, Bahawalpur, Rawalpindi and Sialkot to provide guidance over replication of landfill sites in these cities”, chairman further added. According to Mr. Aydin Baran, a Turkish expert the newly constructed waste disposal facility meets all international standards to handle waste in environment friendly manner.