Chettivilakom ward in the City Corporation boasts the highest figures in the city in terms of installation of source-based waste management systems, and is getting ready to be declared garbage-free. The City Corporation launched its ward-level convention programme on Sunday conducting the first one at Chettivilakom, which already has over 2,500 pipe composts set up on house premises.
However, one unlikely problem was raised at the meet. Initiatives of a proactive councillor and residents here have paved the way for pipe compost units being installed in many houses over the past year at the subsidised cost, and biogas plants have risen in popularity among many, including those households which already have pipe composts, only recently. But the Suchitwa Mission, under the State government, offers subsidy for only one of them. So those who have already installed pipe composts cannot set up biogas plants at subsidised rate.
“That is the only issue here. Those residents who have found enough space in their house compound want biogas plants but they will be unable to avail themselves of the 75 per cent subsidy provided by the mission and will have to bear the entire costs,” said councillor V.K. Sreeja, explaining that just 2.5 kg of waste would provide gas for use for up to an hour and a half. A meeting was held earlier this month to discuss the issue with the residents, and the civic body sent a letter to the government seeking to amend this rule.
Ms. Sreeja said there were very few houses in the ward that lacked their own means of processing waste and very few complaints had arisen regarding pipe composts as well.
“Worms are part of the process and people were made aware of its maintenance before pipe compost units were set up,” she said.
The function was held at Concordia Lutheren Higher Secondary School, Kudappankunnu.
