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Solid Waste Management

Civic panel likely to decide on ghantagadi contracts today

Thursday, 06 June 2013 12:18 administrator
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The Times of India               06.06.2013

Civic panel likely to decide on ghantagadi contracts today

NASHIK: The standing committee of the Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) will meet on Thursday to discuss appointment of new contractors to collect garbage through 'ghantagadi' (bell vans) at divisional-level.

After the adjournment of the proposal last week on technical grounds, the civic administration will present a revised proposal before the standing committee.

The committee members had opposed the earlier proposal on the ground that the period of contract was two years, while the Rs 12.1 crore expenses mentioned in the proposal were for one year only.

The contract of the existing contractor for collecting garbage through ghantagadi had ended on August 22, 2012. As the e-tender process for new contracts were going on, the municipal commissioner had given extension to the contract.

A senior NMC official told TOI, "We have carried out tender process for appointment of new contractors. The process was delayed due to the elections to the standing committee."

The official explained that the proposal was for appointment of private contractors in all six divisions of the NMC for a period of two years. However, the expenses of Rs 12.1 crore were for the current financial year only as that amount has been earmarked in the civic budget for 2012-13."

The contractors who have been finalised by the administration are: Sayyad Asif Ali from Nashik (for Nashik East); M/s Water Grace Products from Nashik (for Nashik West, Cidco and Satpur); M/s Vishal Services from Nashik (for Nashik Road); and M/s Samiksha Constructions Co from Thane (for Panchavati).

On August 23, 2012, all the corporators had demanded 'prabhag'-wise garbage collection and municipal commissioner Sanjay Khandare had drafted a proposal for the same. But at the general body meeting on December 14, 2012, mayor Yatin Wagh had announced implementation of the project at the divisional-level instead of giving the entire city's garbage collection to a single contractor as was the practice earlier.

 

Waste: Engineering students offer a 'bright' solution

Thursday, 06 June 2013 09:55 administrator
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The New Indian Express                06.06.2013

Waste: Engineering students offer a 'bright' solution

If all the waste coming to Chalai market can be converted into biowaste and then to electricity, no one would need to look for another power source to light up the LED streetlights.

 This is no day-dream; for, a team of Barton Hill Mechanical Engineering students has designed and built a 100-per cent biogas-powered engine. Ajesh C R, Akhil B S, Aneesh M and Ojus Mohan developed the engine as part of their final year project. They developed it under the guidance of Associate Professor S Ramesh. Innovation eXperience, a city-based NGO, provided external guidance and practical support for the project.

 ‘’If we can convert the heaps of food and organic waste which are dumped on roadsides into biogas and then again convert it to electricity, it can act as a solution to two core problems faced by the state - Waste Disposal and Power Shortage,’’ said Shyamkumar, technical director of Innovation Experience.

 The biogas power generator system consists of a biogas plant which can produce biogas from food waste. The biogas is then compressed and sent to a filtering plant, where carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulphide are separated. Then it is compressed again and is used for running a Kinetic Honda engine.

 During the trial session, the engine ran continuously for 15 minutes from the biogas produced from a 0.6 m-cube biogas plant. This engine can even be used to drive a power generator which can light street-lamps.

  ‘’Imagine two or three such biogas generators in each residents’ association which can manage waste, create energy and provide employment opportunities to the local women,’’ said Shyam Kumar. Kudumbashree can also take it up as part of the Oorja Sree project.

 Successful testing of this machine made the students more confident and they are trying to build a bigger power generator in the near future. The entire project was financially supported by Kerala State Council for Science Technology and Environment.

 

Paddy fields to bloom in waste land

Thursday, 06 June 2013 09:42 administrator
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The New Indian Express                06.06.2013

Paddy fields to bloom in waste land

Mayor Tony Chammany sowing paddy seeds on the premises of Brahmapuram solid waste treatment plant | Express
Mayor Tony Chammany sowing paddy seeds on the premises of Brahmapuram solid waste treatment plant | Express

The premises of Kochi Corporation’s solid waste treatment plant at Brahmapuram is notorious for its unbearable stench. However, the area will soon wear a green look, with the launch of agriculture initiatives on its premises.

To mark World Environment Day the Corporation launched a project to cultivate paddy in 2.5 acres near the plant on Wednesday. Mayor Tony Chammany inaugurated the initiative by sowing seeds.

“The Corporation’s policy is that no piece of land should be left barren. It has 106 acres at Brahmapuram of which about 10 to 12 acres has been taken up by the plant,” said Health Standing Committee chairman T K Ashraf. The project is being implemented with technical assistance from  Krishi Bhavan, Vadakkekkara. “The high yielding seed ‘Kanchana’ will be used,” he said. The project would help develop a green lung around the plant area. “The Corporation is already cultivating various vegetables and  banana on the premises of plant,” he said.

The Corporation has deployed employees on contract for maintaining the field. If everything goes well, the yield can be harvested after 120 days,” Ashraf said.       

 
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