Bobbili shows the way in solid waste management

Well-planned strategy in place to deal with the problem

While big cities are finding it difficult to dispose the solid waste generated by its millions, Bobbili, a small municipality with a population of 60,000 in Vizianagaram district, has implemented a well-planned strategy to deal with the problem. It has also implemented the Municipal Solid Waste Rules 2000.

Municipal Commissioner Karunakar Prasad has taken the initiative and implemented the various phases with the active support of the municipal council. Vehicles to collect garbage have been purchased using the 12 Finance Commission funds.

Garbage, separated as dry and wet, is collected door-to-door from every household in all the 12 wards that fall in four of the nine routes into which the town is divided.

The ban on plastic came into force from August 2010, but the ground was prepared meticulously well before that. The route map and other technical details were finalised with the help of a consultant. Workers were trained in separation of garbage and laying the beds with wet garbage.

Using organic waste produced thus, the municipality has set up a 14 cmt-a-day biogas plant with the help of NEDCAP. The organic waste, about 2.5 tonnes to 3 tonnes a day, is also used to make compost. Using the slurry from the biogas plant, vermi-compost is prepared. The hub for the entire exercise is Ramannadoravalasa, where a park called Municipal Solid Waste Park has been developed.

Director and Commissioner of Municipal Administration B. Janardhan Reddy held the first review meeting on SWM at the park in July 2011 so as to inspire other municipalities. He had visited the yard twice since then.

The gas from the biogas plant is being used for a stove to make tea for visiting teams from other municipalities.

“Efforts are on see whether the gas and diesel mixture can be used to light up the entire yard,” Regional Joint Director of Municipal Administration P. Ashajyothi, who has been seeing the work since the beginning, told The Hindu .

Now, the yard has a stock of about 80 tonnes of compost and needs to sell it at some agreed price. But, for regular disposal of the compost generated, an Expression of Interest will be called for, says Ms. Ashyajyothi.

It will take time for the rest of the five routes to be covered and the present success is achieved over a period of one-and-half years, she adds.