The Hindu 29.11.2010
Problems galore at vermi compost units
| VMC proposes to add 10 more plants to the existing 18 |
There are no platforms for drying waste, no pits and no road access at most of the plants
VMC has no details of rate of production and amount collected through sale of manure
The vermi compost plant at Ajithsingh Nagar in Vijayawada wears a deserted look.
VIJAYAWADA: The concept of opening many vermi compost plants in the city, apparently, drew the attention of many cities that were looking for solutions to management of municipal solid waste till recently.
Equally enthused, the Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC) is proposing to construct 10 more plants with the 13th Finance Commission (13FC) funds. But, the harsh truth is that many of the existing plants are not functioning properly.
Repairs still pending
Barring a few, there are problems galore in most of the 18 plants scattered across the city. There are no platforms for drying the waste, no pits, no road access, no shelters, non-availability of the waste are a few problems encountered by the plant operators. Some of them like the plants in Ajithsingh Nagar have been shutdown; one of these plants was reduced to ashes in a fire accident, and has not been repaired till date. The proposals to repair it are still pending, sources say.
According to information, the VMC has no details such as rate of production at the plants and amount collected through sale of manure. The sanitary inspectors, who were supposed to collect this information, did not furnish the information though it was stressed at a meeting a couple of months ago.
Some of the plant operators have been “submitting the audit reports” to the corporation, but even they have not mentioned the rate of production. Consequently, the VMC has no idea of the installed capacity, waste processed, manure produced and the viability of the plant.
Each plant requires 20 to 40 tonnes of waste to produce the manure, and it takes at least 3 to 4 months for compost to be produced. As there is no segregation of waste at source (residential houses), the plants are facing severe problems.
And, to tide over this, some of them are depending on rythu bazaars and residential hostels.
This is defeating the very purpose of vermi compost plants, officials say.
Funds
Notwithstanding the situation, the VMC prepared plans to set up another 10 plants under 13FC funds. It is estimated that each new plant would cost Rs. 5 lakhs. The VMC submitted proposals under the head of ‘Integrated Solid Waste Management under PPP mode' (excluding vehicles and equipment) to Commissioner and Director of Municipal Administration a couple of months ago.
