Five agencies, shortlisted for providing solid waste treatment units such as biogas plants, vermicompost, and ring compost to city households, demonstrated their products at a meeting chaired by Mayor K. Chandrika here on Saturday. The initiative is part of the decentralised garbage treatment project of the city Corporation.
Social and Environmental Educational Society (SENS) Kerala; Kannur-based Raidco; Sree Tech; Socio Economic Unit Foundation; and Integrated Rural Technology Centre are the agencies identified for the project.
The agencies explained the functioning of their products at the meeting and put up models of their waste treatment plants at the Corporation office compound. Corporation standing committee chairpersons, councillors, and health officials were present at the meeting.
ADVERTISEMENT
“These agencies have been approved by a government-level technical committee and they have consented to provide waste treatment units at subsidised rates,” Ms. Chandrika said.
The Corporation plans to install solid waste treatment plants in 3,750 households in 15 wards in the initial phase. As many as 2,000 biogas plants, 650 vermicomposts and 1,100 ring composts will be set up in households under the project by December 31. The civic body will provide 50 per cent subsidy for setting up the units. It has earmarked Rs.80 lakh for the project which is expected to be launched by mid-November.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
“This figure is likely to double if the State government steps in. The government has agreed to give up to 50 per cent subsidy. However, the order is yet to be published. Once that happens, the total investment for the project will go up to Rs.1.60 crore and beneficiaries will get a subsidy of up to 75 per cent,” said Corporation health officer D. Sreekumar.
Only 0.5-metre cube- and one metre-cube-capacity biogas plants will be included under the project. The maximum subsidy for setting up biogas plant at present is also limited to Rs.3,250.
Float drum biogas plant, mobile biogas plant, water jacket model etc were some of the biogas models introduced by service providers who also answered queries of councillors.
Selection criterion
Mr. Sreekumar said the beneficiary households for the project would be selected based on the number of members. Households with more members would be given priority. The final decision on the date for inviting applications and other details on the implementation of the project would be taken at the next meeting of the Corporation council.