The government’s Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) cell has okayed a Rs.295-crore solid waste treatment plant in Brahmapuram.
The cell has given in-principle approval for the financial and technical proposals submitted by one of the companies that participated in the tender process. The Hindu has learnt from senior officials close to the development that the government order on awarding the contract is expected soon.
The proposed plant will adopt the waste-to-energy technology. Kerala State Electricity Board has given a letter agreeing to purchase power generated from the plant as per the rates prescribed by the State Electricity Regulatory Commission, they said.
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As per the original project proposal, the operation of the plant will be bound under an agreement by which the energy generated will be added to the KSEB grid. The profit derived from generation of power will have to be shared between the operator and the government.
The project will be implemented under a DBFOT (design, build, finance, operate and transfer) pattern in the public-private participatory mode. It will be capable of processing 300 tonnes of waste daily, they said.
The solid waste generated in Kochi Corporation areas and nearby municipalities will be processed at the plant. The government will provide 10 acres near the now defunct plant of the Kochi Corporation at Brahmapuram for the new project. Officials said that the government will have no financial obligation.
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The government order on awarding the contract to the short-listed company will be placed before the newly-formed Kochi Corporation council for approval. The concession agreement will also be signed between the council and the private player before going ahead with the trial run of the plant.
Senior officials of the Urban Affairs Department dispelled fears on the company invoking the penalty clause in the wake of a fall in the supply of about 300 tonnes of waste daily.
They exuded confidence while stating that the requirement will be met by carrying waste from the four nearby municipalities and 11 panchayats in addition to the solid waste generated under the Corporation limits.
Solid waste generated in Kochi Corporation areas and nearby municipalities will be processed at the plant.