The Hindu        11.02.2016 

BBMP looks to insure waste processing units

Resistance is something the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) is now familiar with. With the resistance from the citizens living around landfills and waste processing units over the past few years, and in some cases damage to the plants, the civic body is now looking to insure the units.

According to sources, the proposal is still in the preliminary stages and BBMP is yet to identify an insurance company. Confirming the move, BBMP Special Commissioner (solid waste management) Subodh Yadav told The Hindu that insurance cover was actually part of the terms and conditions agreed upon by both the civic body and processing unit operators. “The main reason for this is that the equipment and machinery in the units, apart from the other infrastructure in place, is very expensive. These waste processing units are like any other factories. Factories are insured, and these units should be too,” he said.

Odour control

Mr. Yadav also recently issued a circular with regard to odour control and disposal of refuse-derived fuel (RDF) in the six new processing units. Odour control measures were found to be inadequate at the units during spot checks by the Solid Waste Management Expert Committee.

Proper operation and odour control are the primary responsibilities of the operators, and they have been directed to put the necessary measures in place immediately.

He added that even six months after opening the plants, the operators had not made any arrangements for disposal of RDF. As per the agreement, the operator is responsible for the sale of by-products generated during the treatment process, and cannot stock RDF, compost or recyclables on the plant premises. “The plants cannot be used for storage. Once the by-products are channelled out of the plants, the space can be utilised in a more productive manner,” Mr. Yadav said.

Insurance cover was actually part of the deal between BBMP and operators, says an official