The Hindu 05.08.2010
Master plan for waste management in city
Staff Reporter
| Production of fuel pellets begin today |
KOCHI: The Kochi Corporation will shortly move towards a comprehensive waste management system. A master plan has been prepared for the purpose, said Kochi Mayor Mercy Williams.
Talking to media persons here on Wednesday, Ms. Williams said that the Refuse Derived Fuel plant of the Kochi Corporation at Brahmapuram has successfully produced fuel pellets during the trial run carried out recently. The formal inauguration of the production will be held at the corporation council hall on Thursday at 5 p.m. S. Sarma, Minister for Fisheries, will inaugurate the programme, she said.
The corporation was considering a proposal for producing crude oil and power from the fuel pellets and discussions were on with various agencies in the sector regarding the implementation of the project. The refuses from the biodegradable waste and other waste materials like wood, paper and cloth would be used for producing pellets. Glass, metal parts and plastic that come along with the waste would be used for sanitary landfill, Ms. Williams said.
Bio-manure
The authorities plan to sell the bio-manure produced at the Brahmapuram plant through Kudumbasree network at Rs.3 a kilo.
As part of the popularisation programme, the corporation will distribute 3000 kg manure free of cost to the public.
The slaughter house functioning at Kaloor will be shifted to Brahmapuram. Facilities for treating e-waste will also be set up there. Nearly 90 per cent of the residents are segregating the waste which is taken to the treatment plant. The new residents who were staying in rented houses were not segregating the waste, she complained.
The biodegradable waste from Thrikkakara panchayat will be treated at the plant and the panchayat will pay the corporation Rs.1,000 a tonne.
Tree saplings will be planted around the waste disposal plant and more covered vehicles for transportation of waste will be purchased. The corporation will use the Rs.48 crore, which was allotted by the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission for the implementation of master plan.
N.A. Mani, chairman, Health Standing Committee, Kochi Corporation and Sabitha Kareem, chairperson, Thrikkakara panchayat, were among those who attended the press conference.
