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