Capital’s Sabzi Mandi to be powered by biogas plant

CDA, IMC submit revised master plan and Bani Gala encroachment reports to SC


​ Our Correspondent October 25, 2019
PHOTO: FILE

ISLAMABAD: Waste produced by the wholesale vegetable and fruits market in the federal capital will soon be used to produce power for the market.

This was disclosed by the Additional Attorney General (AAG) on Thursday as a two-member bench of the Supreme Court (SC), comprising Justice Umar Ata Bandial and Justice Ijaz Ul Ahsan, heard a case about encroachments in the Bani Gala area of Islamabad.

During the hearing, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) submitted the revised master plan for the federal capital along with reports on encroachment in Bani Gala. The Islamabad Metropolitan Corporation (IMC) also submitted a report on encroachment.

The apex court expressed its satisfaction over the reports asked the relevant departments to ensure that the reports are implemented.

Justice Bandial remarked that approval of the revised master plan from the federal cabinet was a positive step. He further instructed to sensitise the public regarding waste management protocols constituted in the plan.

Justice Ahsan suggested that the CDA should mobilise students, electronic and social media for creating awareness regarding waste management protocols among the people.

The AAG informed told the court that the proposed biogas plant in Sabzi Mandi will process some 20 tonnes of solid organic waste every day to produce power for the market.

Justice Bandial asked that tariffs for power to be produced by the plant should be kept low. If proven successful, he remarked that the government can replicate the same model in vegetable and fruit markets across the country.

Regarding the wetland projects, AAG told the court that two projects have been completed so far while work on another is underway. Moreover, he said that the Master Plan Commission has approved sewerage treatment plants however approval from the Planning Commission and the Central Development Working Party (CDWP) to build the plants is still awaited. At this, Justice Bandial directed to obtain approval for the plants earliest. 

Published in The Express Tribune, October 25th, 2019.

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