Strategic infrastructure boost to improve urban hygiene and sustainability in high-growth zones
After years of delay, Ludhiana is poised to commission its first Construction and Demolition (C&D) Waste Processing Plant — a key urban infrastructure project expected to significantly reduce illegal dumping and streamline waste management tied to the city’s real estate development. Located in the Dhandhari area, the ₹7.5 crore facility is slated to become operational within the next 10 days, according to senior municipal officials.
Originally budgeted at ₹2.69 crore, the project’s cost escalated following the discovery that the selected site was an old dumpsite, requiring extensive groundwork and structural reinforcement. The total outlay now includes ₹7.3 crore for construction and an additional ₹2.2 crore for the installation of advanced processing machinery.
The facility is designed to handle up to 100 tonnes of C&D waste daily, offering a structured solution to a persistent urban challenge. With residential and commercial projects on the rise across Ludhiana, unregulated disposal of construction debris has become a serious issue — often choking canal banks, green belts, and public spaces in areas such as Model Town Extension, Dugri, and Buddha Nullah.
Despite the municipal corporation’s efforts to designate six official waste disposal sites — including at Chandigarh Road, Dhandhari Kalan, Rahon Road, Barewal, Jugiana, and Kanganwal — enforcement has remained inconsistent, and compliance has been low.
The C&D processing plant is expected to be a game-changer. Beyond waste mitigation, it will support a circular economy by converting rubble into value-added construction products like tiles and aggregates. This could not only ease pressure on raw material supply chains but also present cost-efficient alternatives for developers and contractors.
The project, which originally fell under the Smart City Mission, was later shifted to the Swachh Bharat Mission due to procedural delays and funding hurdles. Executive Engineer Balwinder Singh confirmed that civil works and machinery installation are now complete, with final technical checks underway. A formal inauguration is likely to follow shortly.
For investors, developers, and sustainability-focused stakeholders, this project signals a proactive shift in Ludhiana’s urban planning priorities — aligning infrastructure upgrades with responsible construction practices.
