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In a first, Surat civic body to use Plasma Gasification process to recycle garbage

Tuesday, 17 November 2009 11:38 administrator
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Indian Express 17.11.2009

In a first, Surat civic body to use Plasma Gasification process to recycle garbage

The Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) might become the first civic body in the country to use the Plasma Gasification Project to generate power through waste.

The SMC plans to carry out the project on Public Private Partnership basis and has referred to the Sardar Vallabhbhai National Institute of Technology (SVNIT) and Gujarat Urban Development Company (GUDC) to find out the proposal’s technical and economical viability.

The civic body collects nearly 1,100 tonnes of garbage daily, out of which 400 tonnes is recycled into different forms while the remaining is dumped in an open ground in Khajod.

The SMC had recently opened tenders to treat this remaining 700 tonnes of waste. Out of those who applied, the SMC chose a private firm — Augustina Trade Link – that proposed to recycle waste through the Plasma Gasification Project.

“If things go according to the plan, the SMC would become the first civic body in the country to generate 11 MW to 15 MW power through this project. The technology is under approval and once we get green signal from agencies like SVNIT and GUDC, we will move further. Both these agencies will work according to the municipal solid waste norms,” said E H Pathan, executive engineer, Solid and Waste, SMC.

“Under the project, garbage is dumped into a gasification chamber where, through a plasma torch, over 7,000 degree centigrade of heat is generated. The garbage gets decomposed to produce synthetic gas and through turbine or gas engine, power is generated. The Augustina firm is tied up with some foreign company and they are introducing this for the first time in the country,” Pathan added.

Last Updated on Tuesday, 17 November 2009 11:40
 

20 alternatives to EPIC to vote in GHMC polls

Tuesday, 17 November 2009 10:42 administrator
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The New Indian Express 17.11.2009

20 alternatives to EPIC to vote in GHMC polls

Express News Service


HYDERABAD: The State Election Commission (SEC) has issued a note that voters who have been issued Electoral Photo- Identity Cards (EPICs) should produce those cards to establish their identity in order to vote in the elections to the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) on November 23.

Those who do not possess EPIC can still vote provided their identity is otherwise established by production of one of the 20 alternative documents prescribed by the SEC.

The alternative list of documents that can be produced are: Passport, driving licence, service identity card issued to employees by State/Union Government, public sector undertakings, local bodies or other public limited companies with photograph, Permanent Account Number (PAN) card, passbook issued by public sector banks, post office and Kisan Passbooks with photograph (accounts opened up to October 28, 2009), property document such as pattas, registered deeds, with photograph, SC/ ST/OBC certificate issued by competent authority with photograph (issued up to October 28, 2009).

Pension documents such as ex-servicemen’s pension book/pension payment order, ex-serviceman’s widow/ dependent certificate, old age pension order, widow pension order with photograph (issued up to October 28, 2009).

Freedom fighter identity card with photograph, arms licence (issued up to October 28, 2009), Certificate of Physical Handicap with photograph issued by competent authority (issued up to October 28, 2009), ATM cards with photographs issued by the Banks, health insurance scheme smart card with photograph (Ministry of Labour scheme (issued up to October 28, 2009).

Job cards issued under NREGA with photographs (Ministry of Labour’s Scheme issued issued up to October 28, 2009), pattadar passbooks containing photographs issued up to October 28, 2009.

The SEC also clarified that while the aforesaid documents were needed for exercising franchise, their possession did not automatically confer a right on the person to vote in the local body polls in his/her name was not enrolled in the current voter list of the local body concerned.

Last Updated on Tuesday, 17 November 2009 10:45
 

PMC to issue notice to ARDE over felling of trees

Tuesday, 17 November 2009 10:40 administrator
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The Times of India 17.11.2009

PMC to issue notice to ARDE over felling of trees

Swati Shinde & Prasad Kulkarni, TNN 17 November 2009, 05:04am IST

PUNE: The Pune Municipal Corporation will soon be issuing a notice to the Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) over axing of at least 22 trees in an area, which, according to the PMC, falls under the jurisdiction of the ARDE.

The garden department noticed rampant felling of trees in and around the Pashan lake on Friday. Speaking to TOI, garden superintendent Ashok Ghorpade said, "I went there on Friday and took pictures of the trees that have been felled, a notice will be sent to them in a couple of days."

"I believe that the ARDE is building a compound wall in the area and a JCB excavator was used to remove the trees. About 20 to 22 trees have been felled. The ARDE should have taken permission before removing the trees. A panchanama has been prepared in the matter."

When contacted, an ARDE official said that the establishment was not aware about any such damage being done to the trees. "We have no information on the damage being done to the trees near Pashan lake. Many times, our works are done through sub-contractors, but nobody has brought to our notice such damages," Kashinath Deodhar, divisional head, Futuristic Technology, and a spokesperson of the ARDE, told TOI. "However, we have informed the officers concerned to look into the matter," he added.

According to wildlife researcher, Dharmaraj Patil, "The wiped out primary vegetation was as an apt roosting and nesting place for migratory birds. The birds, which come from different parts of Europe, Siberia and Ladakh, need shelter and an undisturbed surrounding during the winter. The place also served as resting place for numerous local birds too." Removing the trees in such a manner would be harmful for the birds, he added.

Some of the migratory birds seen here include: Common Pochard, Ruddy Shelduck, Sandpipers, White Wagtail, Grey Wagtail, Yellow wagtail and Nukta duck.

"The lake as well as the vegetation matter a lot to these birds. The trees play an important role in holding the soil, which maintains the other flora as well, thus strengthening the entire ecosystem," Patil said. "The best way to deal with the Pashan lake is to leave it undisturbed," he added.

The Pashan lake bank is crucial for some of the local birds breeding here, namely, Jacanas, Spot-Billed ducks, Lapwings, Waterhens, Egrets, Herons, among others. "The area surrounding Pashan lake is unique as it not only hosts water birds, but also supports many important forest birds which depend on trees," Patil said.

 
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