Solid Waste Management

Concern over garbage bins near transformers in city

Wednesday, 05 November 2014 05:16 administrator

The Hindu 05.11.2014

Concern over garbage bins near transformers in city

Bins attract birds that can damage equipment

Undesirable practice:A garbage bin placed near a transformer at Indra Nagar in the city.- PHOTO: S. SIVA SARAVANAN

Waste overflowing from bins in a residential neighbourhood is a problem not only to the residents of the area but, in many areas, to the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (Tangedco) too.

An official of Tangedco says that in several places in the city, transformers are located on street corners or on the roadside at the end of a street.

Garbage bins are usually placed near the transformer or a power pole in many places. When a bin overflows, it attracts birds looking for morsels of food or their regular prey. These birds sit on the transformer or power line during this activity.

There are several instances when two or three birds sit on the line, resulting in either damage of small equipment or electrocution of the birds.

Consequently, power supply to the area is disrupted and necessitates the intervention of Tangedco to set right the damage.

Despite repeated appeals to local officials of the Corporation or the respective councillors, the bins are placed near the transformers and power poles in many places, the official says.

A senior Coimbatore Corporation official said that he had asked the officers concerned to look into the issue of the civic body placing bins near transformers.

The Corporation would take care of it and do the needful.

(With inputs from

Karthik Madhavan)

Two plants to be set up to produce biogas from waste

Friday, 10 October 2014 07:01 administrator

The Hindu 10.10.2014

Two plants to be set up to produce biogas from waste

BARC to offer assistance to Corporation

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.

New initiative to segregate non-biodegradable waste

Friday, 26 September 2014 04:56 administrator

The Hindu 26.09.2014

New initiative to segregate non-biodegradable waste

Eco friendly:V.P.Thandapani, Commissioner, Tiruchirappalli City Corporation, inaugurating the non-biodegradable waste collection initiative at Mela Chithirai Street in Srirangam on Thursday.

To be implemented in four wards on a pilot basis

The Tiruchirappali Corporation has introduced a new initiative to segregate and collect the non-biodegradable waste at source and send it for recycling.

Though it plans to extend the initiative to all 65 wards in the city, it will be implemented in four wards such as ward 4 in Srirangam zone, ward 24 in Ariyamangalam zone, ward 44 in Golden Rock zone, and ward 45 in G.Abishegapuram zone on a pilot basis.

As per the plan, high quality two plastic bags would be supplied to all houses in select areas at a cost of Rs.5. Entry cards would also be given. Residents have to keep non-bio degradable waste such as used plastic bottles, glasses, plastic items and others outside or inside their houses. Designated Self-Help Group (SHG) members would collect them regularly.

Launching the initiative in Srirangam on Thursday, V.P.Thandapani, Commissioner, Tiruchirappalli City Corporation, told The Hindu that it was estimated that 400 tonnes of waste was being generated every day in the city.

Of this, non-biodegradable waste would be around 100 tonnes. The entire non-biodegradable waste would be collected at the source itself. The idea was to involve residents to segregate them in their houses instead of dumping them along with degradable waste in dust bins. The task of collection of plastic waste had been given to the SHG members. They would collect the bags in residences or apartments. At the time of collection, they would make an entry in the cards.

The collected items would be transported to nearby multi-purpose service centre. Steps were taken to sell them at competitive prices with traders for recycling purpose.

The corporation would provide all necessary equipment to SHG members for collection of plastic waste and transportation.

The amount earned by selling of non bio-degradable waste would be shared between SHGs and residents at the ratio of 80:20. As many as 1,200 SHG women would be involved in the exercise. The corporation would take all possible efforts to make the effort a success.

To a question, Mr.Thandapani said the process of clearing degradable waste would continue as usual. The people could continue to dump degradable waste in the nearby dustbins.

More Articles...