The Times of India                17.06.2013

Kozhikode corporation to set up waste plant at Njeliyanparamba

KOZHIKODE: Kozhikode corporation has decided to float tenders to set up an advanced treatment plant at Njeliyanparamba trenching ground. The delay from the part of the state government in finalizing an agency to set up an advanced waste plant at the trenching ground even after a year has forced the civic body to find its own way to resolve the waste problem.

The growing protests from a section of people against extending the period of treatment plant run by New Delhi based Infrastructure Leasing and Financial Services (IL&FS) at Njeliyanparamba has also made the civic body to find an amicable solution at the earliest.

"Despite extending all the support from our part, we are yet to receive any information about the proposed advanced treatment plant announced by the state government," said mayor A K Premajam. "We have decided to float tender for an advanced plant considering the prevailing situation. The tender will be floated after holding discussions with the officials concerned," said the mayor.

Though the state government had announced setting up of an advanced treatment plant at the trenching ground under PPP model, nothing has been finalized so far.

The trenching ground is situated on an 18-acre plot and the contract of the company that was entrusted to run it for a period of five years ended on June 15, 2013.

Health standing committee chairperson Janamma Kunjunni said that the civic body didn't have any other option, but inking a new agreement with the IL&FS till the setting up of a plant at the trenching ground.

"The contract will be for a period of two years or till the new plant is ready. The company will pay Rs 40,000 per month, which will be revised after one year. The new contract will be valid till an advanced plant comes up at the trenching ground," said Janamma Kunjunni.

The delay on the part of the state government in finalizing an agency to set up a plant at the trenching ground forced the civic body to find its own way.