The Hindu         10.10.2014 

Two plants to be set up to produce biogas from waste

The Tuticorin Corporation will install two plants to produce biogas from municipal waste, with assistance from Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC).

The City Health Officer, Pradeep V. Krishnakumar, told The Hindu on Thursday that two locations had been identified for the purpose and the BARC would establish solid waste management plants in these places as a permanent solution to the problem of municipal waste choking drainage channels. The plants will be of one and two-tonne capacity respectively. About 190 tonnes of municipal waste, constituting 55 per cent biodegradable waste and 45 per cent non-degradable waste, would be collected every day and fed into these plants to produce biogas, he said.

In the absence of a solid waste management system, drains get choked at several places in Tuticorin. The open drain at Muniyasamypuram is a cause for concern. The stench emanating from it is unbearable and residents call it a ‘visual blight.’

The drainage had become an excellent breeding ground for mosquitoes, said K. Ramasamy, a resident.

Stagnation of sewage is a long-standing problem but no permanent solution is in sight. Besides insanitation, the breeding of mosquitoes is a health issue.

Sanitation workers on contract complained that waste from cow sheds in and around Levenchipuram was being dumped into the channel, causing it to choke. Dr. Krishnakumar pointed out that the drain was cleared at regular intervals and notices had been served thrice on persons for letting waste from cow sheds into it.