AMC gets Rs 32 cr for pollution-free measures

Aurangabad, Nov 13:

The Aurangabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has received the aid of around Rs 32 crore from the union Government, under the Smart City Mission, recently. Of the total funds, Rs 15.75 crore is for taking effective measures in the Solid Waste Management and Rs 16 crore is for improving the air quality in the city. Earlier, the union Government granted Rs 49 crore to undertake various important works proposed under the Smart City Project.

It may be noted that the Aurangabad Smart City Development Corporation Limited (ASCDCL) had undertaken development works of valuing Rs 700, as a part of Smart City Project, in the city. Out of which, the works of valuing Rs 300 crore to Rs 350 crore are underway.

Earlier, the union Government had released Rs 49 crore to ASDCL. The state government''s share is expected to be received after Diwali. Meanwhile, the state government has received Rs 396.50 crore from the union Government under the 15th Finance Commission. Accordingly, the state released Rs 15.75 crore to the AMC for solid waste management.

Two years ago, the city faced severe garbage menace. Taking serious cognisance, the union and the state governments granted Rs 148 crore to the AMC to take appropriate measures and get rid of the problem permanently. Hence the civic body decided to utilise the fund to set up three plants (at Chikalthana, Padegaon and Harsul), each having the capacity to process 150 tons of garbage daily. The civic body also set up a garbage processing plant to produce gas from wet waste at Kanchanwadi.

The processing plant at Chikalthana is functioning, while the plants at Padegaon and Kanchanwadi are in the last leg and will soon start operating. The pending works relating to SWM will gain momentum as the AMC has received the funds.

The air pollution in the city has touched the dangerous level. Sensing danger, the union Government released funds to all the cities facing pollution and guided them to reduce the dangerous levels and develop pollution-free environments in their respective jurisdictions. Previously, the AMC had already installed weather stations at Mahanubhav Ashram and at Kranti Chowk. The AMC had also got Rs 16 crore. The funds will help the civic body to undertake appropriate measures on a priority basis.