The transport of solid waste generated in Colombo to Puttalam began on Sunday, marking the first time waste was transported under the Colombo Metropolitan Solid Waste Management Plan.
The waste, generated in Colombo metro areas and gathered at the Wanawasala Garbage Exchange Center, was transported to the Aruwakkalu landfill project in Puttalam via train.
Under this scheme, approximately 1,200 metric tonnes of garbage collected daily in Colombo will be transported by train from Kelaniya to the Aruwakkalu garbage yard in Puttalam, located 170 kilometres away.
A total of 20 large containers were loaded onto train number 756, which completed the journey to Puttalam before the waste was transferred to the Aruwakkalu landfill.
Under the project, waste generated from Colombo is dumped in abandoned limestone quarries in the Aruwakkalu area for safe landfill and waste treatment facilities.
The project, proposed in 2014, saw several public protests over the years, with small groups of residents staging protests yesterday as well. (Newswire)
