The district administration is toying with the idea of using depleted opencast mine pits as landfills for waste management.
This was stated by Deputy Commissioner C. Shikha at an interaction programme on solid waste management held in the city on Monday. Doddakanya, between Mysuru and Nanjangud, and Shyadanahalli in Mysuru taluk have been identified for the purpose.
While Doddakanya is spread over 30 acres, Shyadanahalli is about 100 acres. The idea was supported by Vasuki, SWM expert from the U.S., who made a presentation on harnessing technology on waste management. Ms. Shikha said a meeting of experts and stakeholders would be convened to take the idea forward.
Mr. Vasuki, who has 35 years of experience in designing SWM systems, said technology was available to prevent ground water pollution, air pollution and soil pollution and cited the example of a similar landfill designed by him in Delaware, U.S.
“The use of depleted mine pits as landfill sites is also cost-effective as there will be no need for land excavations. Waste would be used for back filling of pits,” Ms. Shikha said while underlining that it would be both odour-free and pollution-free.
The city generates around 402 metric tonnes of waste every day of which 240 tonnes is converted into compost. The solid waste treatment plant at the sewage farm is a centralised unit handling the bulk of the waste generated in the city. But, it has a capacity to handle about 250 metric tones and the spillover has caused air pollution.
Local residents who are forced to put up with the pungent odour emanating from the plant have staged protests and demonstrations seeking its relocation.
