The Hindu 31.08.2012
HDMC plans to generate energy from waste
Delegation for Pune soon to evaluate its feasibility
Mayor Pandurang Patil has directed the Hubli-Dharwad
Municipal Commissioner to ensure that at least eight wards in the twin
cities become “dustbin-free” by September-end.
This
came after a discussion on the status of solid waste management in the
cities, following a call attention motion moved by the former Leader of
the Opposition in the Hubli-Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC)
council, Ganesh Tagargunti, during a meeting on Thursday.
Generating energy
The
Mayor asked Municipal Commissioner Y.S. Patil to lead a delegation of
councillors and mediapersons to Pune, to look into a method of
generating energy out of waste, before September 10.
If
the delegation was convinced of the feasibility of such a project, then
the corporation could go ahead with establishing a unit here, he said. A
Pune-based firm had made a presentation at the council meeting a few
months ago on setting up the unit here, and had sought land and
investment for the purpose. Earlier, raising the issue, Mr. Tagargunti
expressed concern over the solid waste management system in the twin
cities. The garbage problem being faced by Bangalore should be an
eye-opener, he said.
Joint Commissioner Virendra
Kundagol pointed out that a proposal to set up garbage disposal system
at Shivalli village was being considered by the State government. But,
the members stressed on the need to look for an alternative.
The
Municipal Commissioner said the proposal pertaining to integrated solid
waste management had been split into two packages — transportation and
disposal — and only the State government could take the final decision
on the issue.
He promised to take the delegation to Pune soon.The Mayor added that having presspersons as part of the delegation was essential to maintain transparency.