The Hindu : Kerala / Kochi News : Waste disposal being decentralised by Thrikkakara panchayat

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Thursday, Jun 16, 2005

Kerala

Kerala - Kochi

Waste disposal being decentralised by Thrikkakara panchayat

Staff Reporter

Residential associations to get subsidies for opening compost units

KOCHI: Under a plan for garbage-free residential areas, the Thrikkakara Grama Panchayat will consider making compulsory setting up of waste-treatment facilities by residential associations.

The panchayat has earmarked more than Rs. 30 lakhs for providing subsidies to residential associations coming forward to set up vermi-compost units that break down domestic waste. The panchayat has also Plan fund provision of Rs. 10 lakhs for implementing such projects.

Good record

Thrikkakara, one of the first panchayats in the State to go in for decentralised waste treatment under the Clean Kerala Programme, has met with success as two waste-treatment facilities, using the vermi-compost method, have come up in its limits.

The first unit became functional at the NGO Quarters at Kakkanad.

This prompted the panchayat to expand the project at an additional cost of Rs. 5 lakhs. Nearly 800 families have thus benefited, though the initial target was only 300 households. The increase in the quantity of waste generated was also a reason for the project expansion.

Special sanction

Considering the responsibility being given to residential associations, the panchayat has received special sanction to set up the compost units without calling tenders. This is aimed at speeding up the works, said panchayat president M.E. Hassainar.

He said the residents of Surabhi Nagar had set up a compost unit, which was running efficiently. Mr. Hassainar said the Mavelipuram residential association had expressed willingness to cooperate with the panchayat in setting up a waste-disposal facility.

Land sought

The panchayat had written to the Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA), seeking land for setting up the facility.

The response from the GCDA chairman was positive and the panchayat authorities expected that land would be sanctioned soon, he added.

Corporation's promise

It is learnt that the Corporation of Cochin had promised to lift two loads of waste daily from the market areas in the panchayat limits once the Brahmapuram waste-disposal facility is commissioned.

The panchayat authorities, trying to dispose of waste through decentralised facilities, is in a predicament over clearing waste generated at public places, such as markets.

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