The Hindu 14.02.2014
Focus on waste management
The Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA) is keen on processing waste drawn from the city streets and homes.
It has announced a project for setting up a modern waste treatment plant after heeding to requests from the Cochin Shipyard, Southern Naval Command, Infopark and owners of hotels and restaurants, N. Venugopal, GCDA chairman, has said. An organisation of traders wrote to the agency three times urging it to take up the task, he said.
Interestingly, the GCDA is eyeing the 100-acre land at Brahmapuram owned by the Kochi Corporation, which is currently engaged in the management of waste. The State government, in association with the Suchitwa Mission, has announced its proposal for setting up another plant at the site. The GCDA has kept aside Rs. 50 lakh for the project.
The Authority chairman said the existing facilities would not be sufficient to handle the amount of waste generated by the city.
Even while expressing its desire to join the municipal waste management business, the GCDA chairman said the city administrators have not set up facilities for treating septage. Even after a series of discussions, the authorities have not established a new plant at Brahmapuram, he said.
The Defence authorities have cleared the agency’s proposal to set up a helium balloon ride from Marine Drive. In the initial phase, the balloons would travel at a height of 45 metres, which would be increased later, he said.
Mr. Venugopal said the Authority had opened the 3.5-km-long Marine Drive walkway, set up at a cost of Rs. 10.5 crore. The agency was awaiting clearance from the State authorities for its exhibition-cum-convention centre.
GCDA has announced a project to set up a modern waste treatment plant in Kochi.
