Dibrugarh MLA Prasanta Phukan on Friday inaugurated the integrated waste management facility (IWMF) at Lekai in Dibrugarh, under the Assam Waste Management Project. This marks a significant step towards sustainable waste management in a city being developed as Assam’s second capital.
Facility Capacity and Coverage
The facility is designed to process more than 1,000 metric tonnes of solid waste daily, drawing waste not only from Dibrugarh but also from the neighbouring towns of Duliajan and Chabua. Officials described the IWMF as a landmark initiative that will strengthen sustainable waste management practices and contribute to a cleaner and more environmentally responsible Dibrugarh.
Inauguration Event
“This facility marks a new chapter in Dibrugarh’s journey towards becoming a model city. As Dibrugarh is being projected as Assam’s second capital, it is only fitting that we set the highest standards in urban infrastructure — and waste management is a critical part of that vision,” Phukan said at the inauguration. The event was attended by Bikram Kairi, district commissioner of Dibrugarh; Arup Kumar Mishra, chairperson of Pollution Control Board, Assam; Mousumi Bardalai, member secretary, Pollution Control Board, Assam; and Navas Das, commissioner-in charge of Dibrugarh Municipal Corporation (DMC).
Vision for Dibrugarh as Second Capital
The inauguration of the IWMF comes at a time when Dibrugarh is receiving increased focus from the state government as part of efforts to develop it as Assam’s second capital. Urban infrastructure, civic amenities and environmental standards are being upgraded to reflect that elevated status, and the waste management facility is seen as a key component of that effort.
Regional Approach to Waste Management
“Proper waste management is fundamental to any city’s civic health. A plant of this scale will not only address the immediate needs of Dibrugarh but also serve the surrounding towns, creating a regional solution to a shared challenge,” an official said. The IWMF is expected to significantly reduce the burden of unmanaged solid waste in the region, minimise environmental degradation and bring Dibrugarh in line with national standards for urban waste processing. By covering Duliajan and Chabua in addition to Dibrugarh, the facility takes a regional approach to solid waste management, consolidating processing at a single, modern plant.
Coordination and Operation
Officials from the Dibrugarh Municipal Corporation said the plant would be operated in coordination with local bodies across the covered towns to ensure efficient collection and transport of waste to the facility.
