Deccan Chronicle 05.02.2010

TNPCB mum over zero waste centres

Feb. 4: The proposed zero waste centres at Kodungaiyur in the North and Perungudi in the South have been delayed by more than three years. The red tape of bureaucratic procedures and attitude of the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) and Chennai corporation may be to blame for this, according to sources.

The city corporation cou-ncil has been speaking abo-ut the scientific project aim-ed at addressing the perennial problem of garbage du-mping in the city, but the project is yet to see the light of day. The integrated solid waste processing facilities at Perungudi and Kodungaiyur are expected to come up on a sprawling 30 acres. But the project is pending as the issue needs the coordinated NOC of the Central Pollution Control Board and TNPCB, says a senior corporation engineer.

According to the official, the civic body had made an elaborate presentation to TNPCB seeking mandatory NOC for the project. The main components of the facility would be waste segregation, plastic recycling composting, RDF (refuse-derived fuel) manufacturing and inert processing to civil bricks and development of sanitary landfill sites. But the TNPCB is yet to respond and the particular file is lying idle for more than two years. The corporation engineers are caught between the TNPCB and higher officials of corporation, the official alleged.

On a daily basis an average of 1,400 metric tonnes of garbage, collected from South Chennai is dumped in Perungudi while about 2,000 tonnes of garbage generated in North Chennai is just dumped in Kodungaiyur. There is no scientific treatment of the dumped waste. The proposal to begin the process is caught between the bureaucratic procedures of TNPCB and CPCB and is finally stinking the suburbs where the waste is dumped, he said.

When contacted, a senior TNPCB official said the bo-ard has forwarded the proposal to the CPCB. “Since Kodungaiyur is an indust-rial area, we need to get CPCB clearance,” he said.

The Hindu 03.02.2010

Metrowater lands misused as garbage dumping yards

K.Lakshmi and R.Srikanth

Photo: K.Pichumani

Unhealthy practice: Garbage dumped on land belonging to Chennai Metrowater in G Block, Anna Nagar.—

CHENNAI: Chennai Metrowater properties worth several crore rupees in different parts of the city are being misused as garbage dumping yards or have been encroached upon.

According to residents, the areas where Metrowater land is being misused include Anna Nagar, Kilpauk, Red Hills and Villivakkam. This despite the water agency putting up boards warning the offenders of action. A case in point is a piece of land near the Metrowater Area Office in Kilpauk.

Manjula Selvaraj, a resident of G Block in Anna Nagar, complained that a Metrowater property in her area is being used as a garbage dump yard and a public convenience. Carcasses were also dumped there, posing a health hazard to those living near the land. A open well in the land remains neglected for several years now.

C. J. Nagarajan, a resident of AL Block in Anna Nagar, said a vacant land measuring around 24,000 sq.ft., with an open well, belonging to the water agency in M.G.R. Colony, was in dire need of a compound wall. “Metrowater conducts awareness programmes on rainwater harvesting. But, it has not taken steps to desilt the well in its land,” he said.

He complained that instead of keeping the area free of garbage, the water agency is contemplating closing the well. He said the Anna Nagar Residents Welfare Association has made several representations to the Metrowater authorities to protect such vacant spaces, which are also misused by anti-socials.

Metrowater officials said an inventory of such lands is being prepared. This follows the recent drive to remove encroachments on the Metrowater land in Kalvai Thurai near Kilpauk. Measures would be taken to either fence or construct compound wall in vacant spaces and also remove encroachments, particularly on conduit lines carrying water from Red Hills reservoir to the city, an official said.