A slew of schemes to streamline the operation of the garbage treatment plant at Vilappil and decentralise the city's solid waste management system form the thrust of the annual budget of the City Corporation for the year 2011-12 presented before the council on Saturday.
The budget has earmarked Rs.5 crore to set up an environment monitoring laboratory on the premises of the plant. Presenting the budget proposals, Deputy Mayor G. Happikumar said an environment study and research centre and nursing college would also be established at Vilappil. He promised steps to protect the water sources in the neighbourhood of the plant and prevent their pollution.
The budget proposes a Rs.50-lakh scheme to promote garbage disposal at source using biogas, vermicompost and other suitable technologies. The Corporation would set up small composting plants within the city to reduce the quantum of garbage transported to the centralised treatment plant at Vilappil. Plastic recycling units are being acquired and they would be established soon.
Mr. Happikumar said awards for garbage collection and processing would be instituted for residents' associations and institutions. A campaign to promote segregation of waste, garbage disposal at source and to discourage the use of plastic would also be taken up. Biogas plants would be established in schools also.
The budget proposes a Rs.1-crore scheme to construct multi-level parking complexes at Thampanoor and Palayam. The project would be taken up on Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) or Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model. The budget proposes an outlay of Rs.1 crore for a scheme to promote homestead-level farming and an allocation of Rs.3 crore for a project to construct residential villas in major slums.
A modern crematorium at Kazhakuttam, a kennel for stray dogs and a trade centre at Palayam are other major proposals.
Later, addressing a press conference, Mayor K. Chandrika said the budget was aimed at improving the city infrastructure. She said efforts were on to make up the shortfall in Plan fund utilisation caused by the elections last year.
The Opposition UDF termed the budget disappointing and a repetition of the previous years' proposals.
