In a first, Dharamshala to get sensor-based underground bins

With launch of the smart waste disposal system on Sunday, Dharamshala is set to become the first city in the country to have sensor-based underground bins.

The project, which was initiated under the smart city mission after Dharamshala was given the smart city tag last year in May, will be inaugurated by local legislator and urban development minister Sudhir Sharma at Dari on Sunday.

“It will be a milestone for the hill town when it will get the smart waste disposal system,” said urban development minister Sudhir Sharma on Saturday.

He added: “We have achieved the feat despite a few political parties opposing the inclusion of Dharamshala in the smart city mission and the Opposition terming new projects as unviable,” added Sharma.

Dharamshala deputy mayor Devinder Jaggi said out of targeted 70, 61 underground dustbins have been installed in the first round.

“Nine could not be installed due to space constraint at a few places. However, the problem will be solved soon,” he said.

He added that around 80 bins will be installed in the second round.

“A new site has also been selected for dumping and processing of the waste outside town,” he said.

ABOUT THE PROJECT

As many as 150 underground dustbins will be installed in the city. The underground bins, fitted with Global Positioning System (GPS), have been imported from Germany.

Each dustbin will have a compartment for organic waste, recyclable waste like plastic and non-recyclable waste.

As the bin reaches 90% capacity, sensors will send a message to the control room and hydraulic cranes will remove the waste Dustbins are being installed in a way that there will be one within 100m from each house.