Lucknow misses 29 waste stations ahead of deadline

Lucknow Municipal Corporation Faces Deadline for Portable Compact Transfer Stations

With just weeks left until the March deadline, the Lucknow Municipal Corporation (LMC) has not yet built 29 portable compact transfer stations (PCTS). These stations aim to address the ongoing issue of open garbage dumping in the city.

PCTS Capacity and Costs

Each PCTS unit can manage around 14 tons of waste in a shift. The construction cost for each unit is approximately ₹25 lakh, according to an official.

Funding and Construction Status

Sanjeev Pradhan, an environmental engineer at LMC, stated that March of this year is the deadline for completing the project. He mentioned that the government has been asked to approve ₹50 crore for the construction of the PCTS units. This funding is necessary to expedite work in the remaining zones.

Pradhan noted that two private agencies are responsible for building the 29 PCTS units, with costs covered by LMC funds. So far, 17 PCTS units have been constructed.

Function of Portable Compact Transfer Stations

A portable compact transfer station is a mobile waste management unit that combines a garbage container with a compactor. It allows waste collected from local areas to be compacted and temporarily stored before being transported to processing or disposal sites. Civic officials say this system reduces the number of landfill trips and prevents garbage from being dumped on roadsides.

Current Waste Management Issues

Despite the plans, the limited number of operational PCTS units has not significantly improved the city’s waste problem. Residents in various parts of the city continue to report overflowing garbage points, foul smells, and unhygienic conditions.

Mayor’s Statement on Future Improvements

Mayor Sushma Kharkwal stated that the situation would improve once the project is completed. She said, “After the PCTS units are set up across the city within the stipulated time, the issue of open dumping is expected to be resolved.”