The Hindu 12.10.2011
Mayor calls for waste treatment proposals
Mayor K. Chandrika on Tuesday directed service providers to submit project proposals for installation of biogas plants, vermin composts, and ring composts in the city households as part of the implementation of the source-level garbage treatment scheme.
In a discussion held with around 15 service providers, including agencies approved by the Suchitwa Mission, Ms. Chandrika set October 15 as the deadline to submit detailed proposals.
The Corporation has taken steps to expedite source-level garbage treatment in the wake of the growing protests against the functioning of the its solid-waste treatment plant at Vilappilsala near the city. Agitators who threatened to block garbage trucks to the plant had agreed to suspend the stir for three months till December 20 in a meeting convened by the Chief Minister last month.
Pilot project
Deputy Mayor G. Happykumar said the Corporation initially planned to install 2,000 biogas plants, 1,200 ring composts, and 650 vermin composts before December 10 for household-level garbage treatment.
“This is only a pilot project. Anybody willing to install these plants at their houses will be provided subsidy under the project. The beneficiary list will be prepared by ward-level committees,” Mr. Happykumar said.
Biogas plants
Health Officer D. Sreekumar said the local body would provide up to 50 per cent subsidy for setting up composting units while a subsidy of Rs.3,000 would be given for biogas plants. “The subsidy amount is likely to be increased if the State government intervenes. As of now, the Corporation will provide the subsidy amount from its plan fund,” he said.
Two types of household biogas plants —type one with a capacity of one meter cube, capable of processing up to five kg solid waste; and another of 0.5 meter cube, for treating up to 2.5 kg waste—can be installed under the scheme as per the specifications and guidelines of Suchitwa Mission.
Dr. Sreekumar added that the Corporation scheme would only cover households while multi-storeyed apartments, hotels, hospitals, and other commercial establishments would have to set up source-level garbage treatment plants on their own.
Corporation secretary K. Biju, former Suchitwa Mission director R. Ajaykumar Varma, and Corporation standing committee chairpersons were also present at the meeting.
