The Hindu : Pollution from garbage plant not ruled out: Minister

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Jul 01, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Kerala-Thiruvananthapuram

Pollution from garbage plant not ruled out: Minister

By Our Staff Reporter

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM June 30. The Government has taken adequate precautions at the garbage treatment plant at Vilappilsala, but the pollution of drinking water sources due to seepage could not be ruled out, the Minister for Local Self-Governments, Cherkalam Abdulla, told the Assembly today.

He was replying to questions from V. Balaram, V.J. Poulose, M.K. Paulson Master, D. Sugathan and A.D. Musthafa on the pollution problems posed by the Poabs-run garbage treatment plant at Vilappilsala.

The members said the seepage from the garbage dump was going directly to the nearby river, from which four drinking water projects were drawing water. Apart from this, garbage was being spilled by the transport lorries, making life difficult for the residents along the route to the plant.

The Minister said that since moisture was high at present due to the rain, there was a likelihood of seepage overflowing from the collection tank and causing water pollution.

Only 70 per cent of the garbage was being converted to manure and the rest was being stored along with the non-organic waste on the premises.

The water seeping from this untreated waste was also likely to cause water pollution, he said.

The Minister said that transporting of garbage was being done at night at present and instructions had been issued that the lorries should be covered. ``The Government is aware of the problem of spillage of waste,'' he said.

Mr. Abdulla said the Government had not signed any agreement to the effect that it would purchase the manure produced at the plant. The agreement was between the Thiruvananthapuram City Corporation and the Poabs group and not with the Government. The price of the manure had been fixed at Rs.4.50 per kg and the Agriculture Department had verified its quality.

Capital city development: Replying to questions from B. Vijayakumar, the Minister said Rs. 75 crores had been set apart for the comprehensive development of the State capital in the budget. Out of this, a total of Rs.1.25 crores had been spent for preparing various projects by engaging consultants and for ant-flooding work at Thampanoor and Pazhavangadi so far.

Under the project, the development of roads, water distribution, bus terminal, Palayam market and commercial complex, surface drainage, Theerapadhom, Fort renovation, city beautification, Vizhinjam harbour, Tagore Theatre and the international airport were included.

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