LAHORE, Nov 11: District Nazim Mian Amer Mahmood on Tuesday directed the Solid Waste Management to get feasibility reports from three companies desirous of setting up compost and waste-to-energy plants in the city.

The Nazim gave the directive during a briefing on the SWM projects by District Officer Rafiq Jatoi here. He disagreed with the proposal of Executive District Officer (Revenue) Chaudhry Arif for engaging an expert for the study of feasibility reports. The EDO had given the suggestion when he was asked about procedural scrutiny on the directions of the DCO last week.

The Nazim was told that the local government secretary had given a go ahead for the compost plant project and planning and development department had examined the contracts. The environment protection department had proposed environmental impact assessment of the projects, periodical air and sub-soil water quality tests and tree plantation around the project sites which would be incorporated in the terms of contract.

The agreement for setting up of a $5 million compost plant on 200 kanals of the 539 kanal CDG landfill site at Mahmood Booti on Bund Road was to be signed with the Lahore Compost. The SWM would provide 700 tons of waste to the company daily for production of 30,000 tons of organic manure annually by using the Belgian technology. The project was to be completed in nine months and would create 150 jobs. The sponsor had promised to spare 10 per cent profit for funding public welfare projects.

The second project was to be established by Softel on 400 kanals of land on Ferozepur Road near Kahna at a cost of $900,000. The land was to be acquired by the company and the SWM had to supply 2,000 tons of waste daily for production of fertilizer and generation of 50 MW power. The project was to be completed in two years.

The case of the third compost plant proposed to be set up on 300 kanals of land with the Chinese collaboration on the Multan Road was in initial stage of processing. The plant would produce fertiliser and generate energy.