http://www.mysinchew.com/node/94966?tid=10The issue of stench and untreated garbage at Kepong waste transfer station has become increasingly serious over the past half a year. Photo courtesy: Sin Chew Daily
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However, during an exclusive interview with Sin Chew Daily, Nadzri nevertheless confirmed that bidding for the Kepong incinerator project would start this month while specialists have been commissioned to conduct a Detailed Environmental Impact Assessment (DEIA).
The assessment will take approximately nine months and opinions of bidders will also be sought. The final report will be submitted to the department of environment for feasibility study of the project.
Once approved, the awarded contractors will start carrying out the project and the incinerator should go online in 2017 if everything goes smoothly.
Nadzri said the Taman Beringin waste transfer station in Kepong is the ideal location for the project, as the place has always been used as a transfer station for garbage collected around Klang Valley.
He said the transfer station is currently operating beyond its designed capacity and the stench around the dump site has irritated residents nearby.
Once the incinerator goes into operation, it will be able to incinerate 1,000 tonnes of garbage every day, with the remaining sent for landfill, thus helping solve the unbearable stench and environmental issues while extending the life of the landfill.
"As for the garbage trucks causing traffic congestion, this is no more a new issue. Be it a transfer station or an incinerator, the flow of garbage trucks in and out of the premises will be the same, and will not make things worse."
He stressed that residents would surely voice up their objection wherever the government decides to build the incinerators, especially in new locations which have never before handled garbage. This makes it very difficult to convince the public.
Nadzri said the Kepong project will still go ahead despite public objection, unless the department of environment rules that the project could endanger the natural environment and public health.
In the meantime, waste management specialist Dr. Theng Lee Chong feels that Kuala Lumpur is a densely populated city without much land for landfill, and construction of an incinerator is seen as a feasible solution to address the perennial garbage problem.
He agrees that residents will object to a proposal to construct an incinerator, wherever it is to be built. Indeed, everyone is creating rubbish, but no one wants a landfill or waste incinerator at his backyard.
This post has been edited by BigMan123: Jan 4 2014, 06:14 PM