Palakkad Dist Yet to Implement Waste Management Project.

At a time when other districts in the state are wrapped up in the implementation of decentralised waste management system, Palakkad has been sitting on the drawing board toying with never-to-see plans.

The decentralised waste management system is nothing but the treatment and conversion of garbage into fuel or compost at source through waste treatment plants installed at the houses, colonies, flats etc.

Palakkad Municipality's plan to install waste treatment plants in all houses, flats, colonies and offices for effective waste disposal has not become a reality so far. Palakkad generates as much as 35 tonnes of waste every day and the Health Standing Committee Chairman Bhavadas K admits that the Municipality disposes only less than 10 tonnes of waste per day.

The Municipality collects the remaining waste and dumps it at the 5.86 acres of land at Theruvushala. The mere dumping of garbage that takes place here is not an effective method of disposal of waste.

The waste treatment plant which the Municipality constructed in 2007 by spending Rs. 1.67 crores didn't succeed in its purpose. IRTC Mundoor, the agency which was entrusted with the operations of the plant, had stopped operating it on January 1,2012 citing lack of profit.

This has further deteriorated the already messy situation and garbage has piled up across the town. 'Out of the 35 tonnes of waste that Palakkad generates over 25 tonnes are mixed waste. It contains plastic, rubber, vegetables, slaughter wastes etc. This mixed waste cannot be converted into fuel or compost. This is the reason why waste management here fails always,' said Bhavadas.

He also said that it is the key reason why the Municipality started thinking about waste elimination at source by installing waste treatment plants at all houses in the district.


THE NEW INDIAN EXPRESS