The Hindu 20.05.2013
Chettivilakom aims for a clean tomorrow
Chettivilakom ward in the City Corporation boasts the
highest figures in the city in terms of installation of source-based
waste management systems, and is getting ready to be declared
garbage-free. The City Corporation launched its ward-level convention
programme on Sunday conducting the first one at Chettivilakom, which
already has over 2,500 pipe composts set up on house premises.
However,
one unlikely problem was raised at the meet. Initiatives of a proactive
councillor and residents here have paved the way for pipe compost units
being installed in many houses over the past year at the subsidised
cost, and biogas plants have risen in popularity among many, including
those households which already have pipe composts, only recently. But
the Suchitwa Mission, under the State government, offers subsidy for
only one of them. So those who have already installed pipe composts
cannot set up biogas plants at subsidised rate.
“That
is the only issue here. Those residents who have found enough space in
their house compound want biogas plants but they will be unable to avail
themselves of the 75 per cent subsidy provided by the mission and will
have to bear the entire costs,” said councillor V.K. Sreeja, explaining
that just 2.5 kg of waste would provide gas for use for up to an hour
and a half. A meeting was held earlier this month to discuss the issue
with the residents, and the civic body sent a letter to the government
seeking to amend this rule.
Ms. Sreeja said there
were very few houses in the ward that lacked their own means of
processing waste and very few complaints had arisen regarding pipe
composts as well.
“Worms are part of the process and people were made aware of its maintenance before pipe compost units were set up,” she said.
The function was held at Concordia Lutheren Higher Secondary School, Kudappankunnu.