KOCHI: Attempts to evolve a modern solid waste management system for Kochi received the much-needed impetus with the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) clearing a city corporation proposal.

The project appraisal committee of the Mission cleared a Rs.88-crore project for Kochi recently. The formal approval will be given on Monday.

Kochi Mayor Mercy Williams and the Corporation secretary will leave for New Delhi on Monday to obtain the approval for the project.

The solid waste management project will benefit the areas under the Kochi Corporation, Kalamassery and Thripunithura municipalities and 16 panchayats in the adjoining areas.

Each year, the Kochi Corporation spends nearly Rs.18 crore for waste treatment programmes. The projected cost of removal and processing of municipal waste during 2007-2009 is Rs.24.74 crore.

According to the proposal that was cleared by the Mission, the civic bodies would be employing multiple methods to treat urban waste. Once the programme becomes fully operational, the civic body hopes to earn a profit of Rs.2.04 crore annually after deducting all operational and maintenance costs.

The waste processing would also generate revenue as compost could be sold as manure. The original proposal submitted before the Mission was for Rs.165 crore.

The Mission has earmarked nearly Rs.30 crore for primary waste collection and transportation. Funds have also been earmarked for the setting up of a plant at Brahmapuram, a recycling unit there and also for sanitary landfill, said Deputy Mayor C.K. Manisankar.

It is understood that provisions have been made for purchasing of 120 trucks equipped with modern facilities for removal of waste. Though the project was approved for Kochi, all the adjoining municipalities that have been included in the list of beneficiaries of the project will get their due share of funds and support for tackling the garbage menace.

The allocation of funds and vehicles will be decided by the Kerala Sustainable Urban Development Programme (KSUDP). The State Government had earlier appointed the KSUDP as the nodal agency for the implementation of JNNURM projects in the State.

As sufficient funds have been allocated for the waste management projects, the city and adjoining municipalities should be able to complete its various waste management programmes in time. "Paucity of funds will no more be a constraint in completing the projects," said Mr. Manisankar.

Kochi Corporation would be establishing a waste recycling plant along with the proposed solid waste management plant at Brahmapuram as it was approved by the Mission, pointed out Mr. Manisankar.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail