In a significant step towards decentralised waste treatment in the city Corporation area, the biogas plant at the Palayam market has now become fully functional.
Health Minister V.S. Sivakumar inaugurated the plant here on Wednesday.
The plant, with a capacity to process 2 tonnes of waste daily, is the biggest of its kind in the city. It was built at a cost of Rs.32 lakh, which includes operation and maintenance cost for two years when the plant will be run by the private agency which built it.
The Palayam market currently generates an average of around 500 kg of waste daily. Twenty Cleanwell workers of the Kudumbasree, who were earlier working for the Vilappilsala waste treatment plant, have been appointed to collect waste from an estimated 2,000 houses in the Palayam ward. The houses have been given radio frequency identification tags so that data relating to each house can be instantaneously accessed through a hand-held device, which the workers will carry.
The plant can generate 5 kilowatts of electricity, and will power 15 halogen lamps and 30 compact fluorescent lamps installed in various parts of the market. It will also power one of the two LED-powered high-mast lamps that are being installed here. The plant was on a trial run for the past three months, and was found to be functioning effectively.
Inaugurating the plant, Mr. Sivakumar said the government would provide all support for the local body’s efforts towards decentralised waste treatment. He said the waste treatment plant at the Chala market would be implemented soon.
