The Hindu 24.08.2013
Three decentralised waste management schemes soon
The Thiruvananthapuram Corporation this year round will focus on decentralised waste management .
Three
major projects have been proposed and the civic body has begun looking
for an immediate solution to clear the anticipated heaps of garbage
during the forthcoming festival season. Over the past week, officials of
the Health wing visited various locations where the ‘Pattoor Model’
could be implemented. They have prepared a list of 18 prospective sites
in the city.
A detailed list is ready, mentioning the
capacity and the estimate of the plant for each location. Technical
experts of the firm that prepared the unit at the Pattoor Housing Board
colony accompanied the team. The list includes a one-tonne
bio-mechanical composting unit at the Chala market. The Corporation Plan
Fund will finance 50 per cent of the project cost, and Suchitwa Mission
will provide the remaining amount.
The alternative
method of decentralised management of waste is being considered, as
large-capacity biogas plants are feared to run into problems a few years
into their lifetime. Sources said bio-gas units in individual
households would not cause much problems, considering that their
maintenance would be better handled with significantly smaller
quantities of waste. The bio-mechanical composting unit is simpler and
has, so far, worked well at the colony at Pattoor. It was installed over
a year ago.
In addition, the Corporation is
considering the feasibility of another 13 locations at wards, including
Vazhuthacaud, Nalanchira, Nanthancode and Poojapura,. The State
government should give the clearance for these, as the sites identified
are located on government-owned land. “These locations fall under
different departments, for instance Revenue which is headed by Adoor
Prakash. We will meet the Ministers concerned to ensure their support
and speedy implementation of the projects, said a ruling council member.
After
the submission of the latest requirement by the Suchitwa Mission, which
is an utilisation certificate detailing the remaining amount from last
year’s source-based management funds, the Corporation also go ahead with
a Rs. 7-crore project to set up 62 biogas plants.