With the decentralised waste management project to be launched in the city soon, a mass convention was organised by the city Corporation here on Thursday to seek the support of the public, and to create awareness among the people of the project.
Speaker G. Karthikeyan inaugurated the convention which was attended by members of residents' associations, NGOs, and other agencies involved in sanitation projects.
Speaking at the function, the Speaker said that the fact that various residents' associations were coming forward to show their support to the project was a positive sign that would help tackle the many-faceted problem of waste disposal in the city.
Mayor K. Chandrika urged the people to extend their support to set up household waste disposal systems on their premises, with the help of the city Corporation to solve the issue of waste management.
According to R.V.G. Menon, chairman of the Technical Committee for the project, the main aim of the project is to provide basic facilities for proper waste disposal at the household level.
Schemes for setting up biogas plants, and adopting other methods of waste management such as ring composting and vermi composting in the compounds of each house should be encouraged to prevent the transportation of organic waste to Vilappilsala, he said.
The city Corporation mooted the decentralised waste management plan after the residents of Vilappilsala took out protest marches against the Corporation's alleged move to turn the place into a dump yard.
In case of space constraints, the residents' associations should seek the help of the Corporation to identify a suitable place to set up a biogas plant for two or more wards.
Technical training
The Corporation was ready to provide any technical help with regard to the setting up of the plant. There were plans to set up plastic shuddering units and electronic waste disposal units. Members of various special agencies and Kudumbasree units would be given training in the technical aspects of the project, he said.
Segregation of organic and inorganic wastes should also be promoted. This was important especially for the proper functioning of the proposed biogas plants. Various recycling units were being planned by the Corporation for better waste management, he said.
Members of various residents' associations welcomed the proposal by the Corporation, and presented their views on the implementation of the project.
A convention to be attended by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, and Opposition Leader V.S. Achuthanandan will be held on November 9.
