Ramky Infrastructure Limited (Ramky) was awarded the prestigious FICCI Smart Urban Innovation Award 2024 in the “Sustainable Cities” category. This accolade celebrates their outstanding work in treating and disposing of legacy leachate in Jawahar Nagar, Hyderabad, Telangana.
What is Legacy Leachate?
Legacy leachate is a liquid that has percolated through old waste deposits in landfills, accumulating contaminants and pollutants from decomposing materials over time. This toxic by-product poses significant environmental threats as it can contaminate nearby water bodies and groundwater, making it a critical issue for waste management and environmental protection. Addressing legacy leachate involves treating and safely disposing of this hazardous liquid to prevent further environmental damage.
What is the Ramky Leachate Plant?
Installed and operational since March 2023, Ramky Infrastructure Ltd’s 2 MLD (mega-liters per day) capacity leachate treatment plant at Jawaharnagar dump yard in Hyderabad, Telangana, has garnered high praise from then Telangana IT Minister KT Rama Rao and Special Chief Secretary Arvind Kumar IAS. Costing Rs 250 crores and commissioned by the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), this plant marks a significant step in addressing the legacy dump’s issues.
Decades of unscientific waste dumping in Jawahar Nagar have severely impacted local residents. The plant effectively processes leachate to meet acceptable Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) levels, substantially mitigating environmental concerns. Coupled with a previous Rs 140 crore capping effort, the project aims to eliminate foul smells, groundwater pollution, and other hazards associated with the dump yard, promising substantial relief to affected communities.
FICCI Award
The award was presented during the 5th Smart Urban Innovation Awards, held alongside FICCI’s 7th Cities Summit, which aims to foster dialogue and innovative solutions for urban infrastructure challenges. Ramky stood out among 10 organisations recognized from a record 98 entries, including corporates, government agencies, and educational institutions, all contributing to India’s smart cities mission.
Legacy leachate, a hazardous by-product of waste decomposition, poses a severe environmental threat by contaminating water sources. Ramky tackled this issue with a ground-breaking 2,000 KLD leachate treatment plant, the first of its kind in India, and restored nearby ponds. This innovative project addressed over 849,780 KL of legacy leachate in Hyderabad, setting a new industry benchmark.
“We are honouFred to receive the Smart Urban Innovation Award 2024 under the Sustainable Cities category,” said Mr. Y.R. Nagaraja, Managing Director of Ramky Infrastructure Limited. “This recognition reflects Ramky’s unwavering commitment to providing urban solutions that pave the way for a sustainable future. The Hyderabad leachate treatment plant exemplifies this commitment, establishing a standard for future projects. We remain dedicated to developing infrastructure solutions that contribute to a cleaner, healthier tomorrow for current and future generations.”
Established in 1927, FICCI is India’s largest and oldest apex business organization. It serves as a key platform for networking and consensus-building across sectors, and is the first port of call for Indian industry, policymakers, and the international business community.
