The Ravi Urban Development Authority (Ruda) proposed that the Lahore Waste Management Company’s landfill and dumping spots at Lakhodair and Mahmood Booti be converted into a major park.
The proposal was made after the authorities involved agreed that the two spots?were rereleasing lethal methane gas and contaminating groundwater, endangering the health of those living nearby. An official stated in this regard: Ruda is of the view that existing solid waste landfill and dumping sites at Lakhodair and Mahmood Booti must be relocated as they are releasing dangerous methane gas that is leaving a serious impact on the public health, especially of infants and children.
He stated that because the area (Lakhodair, Mehmood Booti, etc.) falls under the territorial jurisdiction of Ruda according to the master plan, the authority recently approached the LWMC management to convince it to agree to the relocation of these sites.
“In a couple of meetings, we have almost convinced the LWMC to relocate these sites to some other places we may offer them in near future. The existing landfill and dumping sites can be used for the development of a major public park,” the official remarked,?adding that the sites polluted the groundwater and caused various water-borne diseases in the area.
The official further said the Ruda officers in charge have been tasked with finding suitable sites in the project area and delivering them to the LWMC once the proposal for relocation of the existing sites is complete. “Hopefully, the LWMC will take positive action soon to protect public health,” the official said.
An LWMC representative confirmed the news, saying that several meetings had been held in this regard, but that the final decision had yet to be made. According to the spokesperson, the firm is also working on different projects, especially waste-to-energy projects, to get rid of the massive amounts of fresh and legacy waste.