Segregated waste undergoes biomining process at Vellalore dump yard, Coimbatore.
| Photo Credit: File Photo
The Phase II biomining project, launched in March 2025, involves the scientific remediation of 7.94 lakh tonnes of legacy waste accumulated at the 697.97-acre Vellalore dump yard. Corporation officials said 53% to 54% of the work has been completed so far. Of the total project cost of ₹58.5 crore, ₹20.66 crore has been spent so far.Of the 1,100 tonnes of waste generated daily, about 990 tonnes were processed at the dump yard, while roughly 110 tonnes continued to be dumped every day.The NGT, which took suo motu cognisance of the issue, has been monitoring the remediation of the dump yard through periodic hearings. In its earlier orders, the tribunal observed that the biomining infrastructure at the site was inadequate to complete the project within the stipulated time and directed the Corporation to augment its processing capacity by deploying additional machinery. It also directed the civic body to complete the clearance of legacy waste by October 2026.Corporation officials said the October deadline is unlikely to be met and that the project is expected to be completed by December 2026. To increase processing capacity, the Corporation plans to install an additional trommel machine at the site. At present, four trommel machines are in operation. One of them had remained non-functional for some time due to a mechanical fault, but has now been repaired and brought back into service. Officials said the additional machine would further speed up the biomining process.The matter is scheduled to come up for hearing before the National Green Tribunal again in August, when the Corporation is expected to submit a fresh status report on the progress of the biomining work. Published - June 29, 2026 05:38 pm IST
