A majority of the 20 vermicompost plants set up to address the garbage disposal problems and for promotion of organic manure in the city have shut down, thanks to the apathetic attitude of the municipal authorities to maintain them. Absence of proper scientific garbage disposal system had prompted the Vijayawada Municipal Corporation authorities to set up the first vermicompost plant involving residential colony members as committee members in 2007.
The facility was expanded to more areas subsequently with the setting up of 20 such plants. “It was a good concept and was yielding good results too. The organic manure generated from the plant was sold for Rs. 5 a kg. A bank account was also opened to ensure financial transparency. But, for reasons best known to the authorities, maintenance degraded which finally led to the shutdown of the plants,” says G. Arjuna Rao, president of vermicompost plant at Ranigarithota plant.
Corporation authorities are planning to replace the vermicompost plant with a function hall on the same premises. Similar plants were set up in Seetharamapuram, APIIC Colony, Vijaynagar colony, Priyadarhini Colony, Housing Board Colony, Hanumanpet, Mutyalampadu, R.K.Puram and Singhnagar, among the other areas.
Except for Electricity Colony and Screw Bridge plant, rest of the plants have become defunct. Even the Electricity Colony vermicompost plant is in a dilapidated condition and residents have requested the municipal officials to repair the roof of the plant. Though the residents volunteered to bear 10 per cent of the cost of the repair works, there has been no response from the officials concerned.
“It is lack of commitment and coordination among VMC authorities that have resulted in closure of vermicompost plants,” says CPI (Marxist) City Secretary Ch. Babu Rao. Everyday, more than 500 tonnes of solid waste is generated in the city and disposal has been a big challenge for the authorities. Vermicompost plants were a good solution. For every three tons of waste, one tonne of organic manure was produced at these plants.
“Collecting waste is not a problem, lots of waste is available at rythu bazaars and hotels and this can be put to good use at these plants. But, the VMC seems to be least bothered in operating them,” adds Mr. Rao.
