A task force constituted by the city Corporation is on the lookout for a piece of land to shift the waste treatment plant in Vilappilsala and the waste accumulated there, as per the orders of the National Green Tribunal. Though there are a few responses from individuals from the city and even outside, the local body might find it hard to implement the order considering the public’s opposition to any facility related to waste treatment in their own locality.
At least 10 acres
The Corporation had recently called for Expression of Interest (EoI) from individuals who are ready to give up at least 10 acres.
The task force has also been visiting areas within the city for probable locations for the plant.
“We have got some responses, but they do not seem suitable. Some of the enquiries came from outside the city limits, like Aryanad. As per the NGT order, we have to find land within the Corporation area. Our team also visited areas like Vattiyurkavu,” said M. Nizarudeen, the Corporation Secretary.
The task force which includes senior level municipal engineers and scientists, an officer each from the Central and State Pollution Control Boards, and two outside experts drawn from organisations working in the field of waste management and other officials of the city Corporation.
The NGT order, which was upheld by the Supreme Court in January this year, asks the Corporation to complete these tasks within eight months and to prepare a rehabilitation plan for Vilappilsala in the next three months.
The idea of a centralised waste treatment plant goes against the Corporation’s focus on decentralised waste treatment mechanisms ever since the closing down of the Vilappilsala plant.
The opposition of the public to centralised waste treatment facilities and the lack of adequate area for such facilities led to this shift.
“We are looking for areas as big as 15 to 20 acres so that we can have an adequate buffer area. Once a land is identified, we will conduct feasibility studies. The local people will be taken into confidence before any land is selected. There will not be any secretive deal,” said the Secretary.
