GCC plans biomining of waste at Athipet dumpyard

After five years of intermittent activity and delays, the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) plans to initiate biomining of nearly 80,000 cubic metres of legacy waste at the Athipet dumpyard in Ambattur (Zone VII) at an estimated cost of ₹7.1 crore. The proposal covers the removal of about 72,083 tonnes of accumulated waste and follows approvals under the Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0. The Athipet dumpyard is located in a small industrial area off the Chennai-Tiruvallur High Road. It was established more than three decades ago when Ambattur functioned as a village panchayat under the Villivakkam Panchayat Union in Tiruvallur district. The site has remained unattended to for nearly four years. According to officials, the legacy waste accumulated over nearly 40 years is buried up to a depth of 2.5 metres, as identified through a contour survey. The proposed biomining project is expected to be completed within a year and the work is to be taken up by Zigma Global Environ Solutions Private Limited, one of the concessionaires for biomining at the Perungudi and Kodungaiyur dumpyards in the city. Biomining exercise was initiated at Athipet in October 2019, which cleared 107,811 cubic metres of legacy waste till July 2023. GCC officials said the work faced delays due to site conditions. Fresh waste was temporarily redirected to Athipet in late 2022 and early 2023 owing to disposal constraints at Kodungaiyur. Notably, Standing Committee (Public Health) chairperson G. Shanthakumari, last year, alleged that illegal dumping continued at Athipet despite its closure for fresh waste. She also stated that during Cyclone Michaung in 2023, garden waste was dumped at the site as per GCC’s directions, while household and other waste was allegedly brought in by private operators. Published - December 26, 2025 07:07 am IST

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