News
Meethotamulla still an environmental hazard; Plans for urban park still underway
A proposal to turn the former Meethotamulla garbage site into an urban park for which Rs 400 million was to be spent, is facing several environmental issues.
Following the Meethotamulla landslide claiming the lives of 32 people in 2018, residents predicted another disaster in the near future.
The project to convert the Meethotamulla garbage dump to an urban park was proposed to be completed by 2023.
However, even though the Meethotamulla garbage dump was abandoned, methane gas accumulated and sewage water is still flowing in the area.
Out of many opinions regarding the best method for developing areas where garbage was once dumped, converting them into urban parks has been considered the most appropriate solution, as it is a tried-and-tested method in many countries.
After the tragedy took place, the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) stopped dumping garbage in Meethotamulla.
Due to the inability of relocating the garbage or recycling it on the spot, plans were made to turn it into an urban park and some plants were hastily planted by then Megapolis and Western Development Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka.
Even though work began on the urban park, at the moment construction work has stopped due to the pandemic.
Urban Development Authority Director M M Anura said the project is moving along slowly because there are a number of families illegally occupying the area.
“The land where trash is buried in layers has now been compressed to make it more solid,” he said.
He also said that the mound, which was once 50 metres high, has now reduced to 33 metres.
“All steps will be taken to ensure that no harm is caused to the area’s people when constructing the urban park,” Mr Anura said.
He said the area was being reclaimed in a scientific manner under the guidelines of National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) experts. He also said a mixed development programme with the assistance of foreign private sector investors was also being considered for Meethotamulla.
NBRO officials have said that if another garbage landslide occurs in the future it will not cause much harm as people have been evacuated from the area.
Debris from the disaster is still being removed, and canals nearby are being cleaned. Meanwhile, an underground pipe system is to be initiated to remove the leachate, and plans are underway to release the gas coming out of the dump as well, they added.
He added that the installation of sludge purification machinery from old waste was also halted due to the interruption of the project.