The second phase of the installation of surveillance cameras at waste dump sites will be launched by next month. Proposed in the Kochi Corporation’s 2012 budget, the `10-lakh project will see the installation of cameras at dumping yards on roadsides, border areas of the Corporation and abandoned properties.

The Corporation has already requested Keltron to provide the necessary surveillance cameras, which the state-run agency is expected to deliver by the month-end. Initially 10 such cameras will be installed in various parts of Kochi and the areas that lie between the border of  Corporation and neighbouring municipalities and panchayats.

“In a recent analysis, we have noticed that the majority of the households in the city, including residential complexes, have a systematic mode for waste disposal. But illegal dumping is rampant mainly in areas under panchayat and municipality limits. We are planning to focus on such areas,” said Kochi Corporation Health Standing Committee chairman T K Ashraf. On the basis of the footage from the surveillance cameras, the offenders will be identified and stringent action taken against them. “We will seek the help of the surrounding local bodies for the successful implementation of the project. The areas where the cameras are to installed will be finalised soon,” he said.

Swiss challenge

Meanwhile, considering the delay in the tender procedures for setting up a new solid waste treatment plant at Brahampuram, the government had now issued an order to adopt the ‘Swiss Challenge’ method for implementing the project. Swiss Challenge method is a  competitive bidding process, where no bidder will be given a predefined advantage.The submitted proposals that are technically and financially feasible will be published under this method. If a much better proposal is submitted later by another agency, that will be considered and given priority. Since the tender procedures will take at least one year’s  time for processing and allotment, the Swiss Challenge method is expected to help in the speedy implementation of the project.