The Hindu : Kerala / Thiruvananthapuram News : New technology for garbage plant

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Thursday, Mar 20, 2008
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Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

New technology for garbage plant

Special Correspondent

Centre approves Rs.33.50-crore proposal

Project to introduce Refuse Derived Fuel technology
Awareness campaign for treatment of waste at source

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The city Corporation has received the go-ahead for a major project to equip the garbage treatment plant at Vilappilsala with better technology and augment its capacity. The Union government has cleared a Rs.33.59-crore proposal submitted by the City Corporation.

Of the total project cost, the Union government will provide an assistance of Rs.26.87 crore under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM). The balance amount of Rs.6.72 crore is to be shared by the State government and the Corporation.

The project seeks to introduce Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) technology to streamline the functioning of the plant. It involves the manufacture of compact fuel pellets from combustible material in residual garbage. The segregation of non-combustible elements ensures high calorific value of the pellets, which can replace coal in thermal power plants and also be used in specially designed stoves after gasification. The pelletisation unit is expected to cost Rs.1.66 crore.

An amount of Rs.9.83 crore has been earmarked for the construction of a sanitary landfill, leachate treatment plant and sedimentation tank. The garbage handling and transport fleet will be augmented with the acquisition of a front end loader, 19 tipper lorries, four excavators, eight dumper placers and 65 dumper containers.

The project envisages improvement of the primary collection and storage system. A sum of Rs.3.56 crore is to be spent on purchase of buckets, autorickshaws, containers, containerised push carts and gloves, masks and boots for sanitation workers. A road sweeping machine is to be acquired at a cost of Rs.1.2 crore.

Transfer stations

Another major element is the construction of two waste transfer stations at Peroorkada and Chalai. The stations will be equipped with ramps to facilitate direct transfer of garbage from autorickshaws to garbage trucks for transport to the solid waste treatment plant.

Corporation sources said the transfer stations would be designed to minimise the workload of Kudumbasree workers involved in garbage collection. The project seeks to improve the plant site with the construction of a compound wall with fencing, approach roads, drains, water supply and electricity and the development of a green belt.

The windrows, compost pads, processing area and washing area inside the plant will be developed at a cost of Rs.2.41 crore. The construction of an office building, extension of the roof and the establishment of a training centre in the city are expected to cost Rs.80.86 crore.

Capacity augmentation

The processing capacity of the plant is to be increased to 333 metric tonnes by the year 2013. Of the total capacity, recycleable materials will constitute 30.37 tonnes, 44.7 tonnes will go into the landfill and 264 tonnes are proposed to be converted into compost.

The project report cites the space constraints in the premises of the plant as a major hindrance. It calls for the construction of a tipping area, pre-processing area, compost pad, monsoon shed, factory shed and godown to stock the organic manure produced from the compost.

The project also involves an awareness campaign for treatment of waste at source. Meanwhile, the Corporation is preparing to take over the operation of the garbage plant from the Poabs Group. Chairman of the Health standing committee G.R. Anil said the compensation package had been worked out.

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