*Chandigarh nears historic milestone: Final Legacy Waste dump at Dadumajra to vanish, paving way for India’s first Zero-Landfill city*
*Processesed 70-75% legacy waste of final dump, despite rainy season*
*Chandigarh, July 21:-* In a landmark move under the ambit of the Swachh Bharat Mission, the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh is on the brink of transforming the city into a Zero Landfill Model, as it nears the completion of bioremediation of the third and final legacy waste dump at the Dadumajra dumpsite. As per the report only 59,000 Metric Ton legacy waste is remaining to process in the final dump till 21st July upto 5.00 pm.
Commenced on January 25, 2025, the ongoing bioremediation project of 3rd legacy waste dump has already achieved an impressive 70-75% waste processing, despite facing significant weather disruptions — with over 45 rainy days in the last 6 months, each halting operations for more than two days. However, undeterred by these challenges, the project has been accelerated with a 15 to 20-fold increase in deployed machinery and manpower, setting new benchmarks in waste management efficiency.
This final waste mound, comprising approximately 2.40 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) of legacy waste, is being cleared with support from two major Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) and the existing agency, operating in two dedicated shifts to ensure rapid progress. The completion of this bioremediation effort marks the end of landfill dependency for Chandigarh — a transformative step towards sustainable urban living.
In its determined journey, the Municipal Corporation has successfully navigated multiple complex challenges such as radiological characterization, leachate management, fire control, and safety protocols, adhering strictly to environmental norms and the Star Rating Protocol of Garbage-Free Cities, as prescribed by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India.
With this final push, Chandigarh is set to become one of India’s first fully landfill-free cities, emerging as a model of circular waste economy and environmental stewardship.
While speaking about the project, the Municipal Commissioner Sh. Amit Kumar, IAS said that this is not just a waste management achievement, but a declaration of Chandigarh’s commitment to sustainability and smart urban development.
