Tinsukia has become one of the first districts in the Northeast to successfully eliminate legacy waste. The Tinsukia district administration, in collaboration with five town boards – Tinsukia, Doomdooma, Digboi, Margherita and Makum Municipal Boards – launched an ambitious initiative in March 2023 to make the district free from garbage.
Oil India Limited played a crucial role by contributing to the initiative through its CSR fund, specifically for the bio-mining of old garbage in Tinsukia and Makum Municipal Boards.
The efforts have resulted in treating a staggering 75,000 metric tonnes of garbage at the Tingrai dumpsite in Tinsukia. Residents, who previously faced issues like unpleasant odors and the presence of dirty flies around the Tinsukia Duliajan Road area, can now experience a cleaner environment.
The initiative extended across the district, with 18,000 metric tonnes treated by the Doomdooma Municipal Board, and 25,000 and 30,000 metric tonnes by Digboi and Margherita, respectively, using bio-mining technology.
This comprehensive approach has led to the processing of a total of 1.53 million metric tonnes of garbage annually, marking a significant achievement for the district.
The execution of the project was facilitated by Messers Call & Fix, an agency that played a pivotal role in coordinating efforts across all Urban Local Bodies (ULB). Tinsukia district commissioner, Swapnil Paul, highlighted that the garbage treatment initiative has reclaimed more than 80 acres of land near urban centres in the district. This reclaimed land is now available for developmental activities, contributing to the overall progress of the region.
Additionally, a memorandum of agreement with Dalmia Cement was inked, ensuring that refuse produced as a by-product of the waste treatment process is utilized by cement factories. This strategic collaboration not only aids in waste management but also positions Tinsukia as a model district in land revival through old waste bio-mining.
The success of Tinsukia’s waste elimination initiative showcases the positive impact of sustainable practices on both the environment and community development. The district’s commitment to the green agenda aligns with the guidelines issued by the National Green Tribunal (NGT), setting a commendable precedent for other regions to follow suit.
