The Times of India 11.07.2013
Coimbatore Municipal Corporation proposes new plant to manage construction debris
COIMBATORE: Heaps of construction debris piled along the roadside and water bodies within city limits have been plaguing the city municipal corporation for a long time. Despite measures like announcing specific spots to dump construction debris, the civic body is yet to streamline their system to address the issue of proper removal and processing of construction debris generated. Now, the corporation has a new proposal to launch a construction debris processing plant with private partnership and has invited expression of interest from private firms.
"The proposal is ready and expression of interest is being invited at the moment. We are planning to do it on the lines of the construction debris management project of the New Delhi government," said S Sivarasu, deputy commissioner, Coimbatore Municipal Corporation.
The corporation had sought the assistance and technical expertise of consultants from Infrastructure Leasing and Financial Services (IL&FS) Ltd in New Delhi regarding the Rs 11 crore project proposal which is similar to the construction debris waste management system in the national capital. The firm was also involved in the construction debris management in New Delhi ahead of the Common Wealth Games 2010 during which about two lakh tonnes of construction debris was collected from the streets of New Delhi.
"We have already announced 19 spots in the city where the public can dump construction debris instead of littering it along the edge of lakes and ponds. We are also planning to ensure that there is a proper network in which the corporation will ensure the collection and transportation of construction debris in an efficient manner," Sivarasu added.
The Delhi government had recently carried out a study recommending the usage of processed construction debris as inert land fill for low lying areas, construction of roads and pavements and landscaping. The collected debris could be segregated to separate items which could be reused. The issue of proper collection and processing of construction debris was also raised in a recent meeting of senior corporation officials and members of the city technical advisory group convened at the corporation head office.
As per the corporation estimate, the city generates about 800 to 850 tonnes of solid municipal waste which is being sent to the Vellalore dump yard of the corporation. In addition to this about 100 tonnes of construction debris is also being dumped in the city on a daily basis.The Municipal Solid Waste Management and Handling Rules 2000 specifies that urban local bodies should separately collect construction debris from its limits.
