GVMC Commissioner P. Sampath Kumar has launched an ambitious plan to rid the Kapuluppada dumping yard of 24 lakh tonnes of accumulated waste, following a directive from Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu. The project aims to clear the yard by October 2, 2025, addressing a longstanding environmental issue that has plagued the city for years.
“Kapuluppada dumping yard has become a major source of pollution over the years,” said Sampath Kumar. “Our goal is to eliminate all legacy waste and transform the area into a green space. This is a critical step for the city’s environmental health and future sustainability.”
The Kapuluppada yard, covering 100 acres, is the main dumping ground for GVMC’s daily waste, which includes over 1,100 metric tonnes of waste, of which 350 tonnes are wet waste. The site, overrun with plastics, glass, paper, and construction debris, has led to significant environmental issues, including severe air and groundwater pollution due to uncontrolled burning and rainwater seepage.
To mitigate these challenges, the Jindal Company, under a Public-Private Partnership model, has established a ‘Waste to Energy’ plant. This facility processes 750 tonnes of wet waste per day, converting it into bio-CNG for local industries. In addition, materials like plastics, glass, and paper are separated for recycling, while construction debris is repurposed into bricks.
Despite these efforts, the legacy waste remains a significant hurdle. Sigma Environmental Solutions Pvt Ltd has been using bio-mining techniques to extract recyclable materials. So far, 9.5 lakh tonnes of waste have been cleared, freeing up 33 acres of land. “We have already made significant progress,” said Sampath Kumar. “By clearing 9.5 lakh tonnes, we’ve reclaimed 33 acres. We’re committed to meeting the October 2025 deadline.”
To further accelerate progress, GVMC is fast-tracking the construction of a new Material Recovery Facility (MRF) for processing plastics, cloth, and paper. The expansion of the bio-CNG plant will also help process more wet waste, reducing the burden on the dumping yard.
“Our target is not just to clear the legacy waste but also to create a valuable green space,” Sampath Kumar said. “We plan to maintain a green belt for at least 15 years to prevent harmful chemicals from leaching into the soil.” With 33 acres already cleared and saplings planted, the transformation of the area is already underway.
