Mangalore: MCC Bitten by Cleanliness Bug - New Land Fill in Pipeline
Report and Pics: Keshava Murthy NV
for Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore
Mangalore, Apr 7: The responsibility entrusted to Mangalore City Corporation (MCC) has almost doubled in recent times, with unprecedented developmental activities taking place in the city. One such important responsibility is to ensure an efficient management of solid wastes. However, the environment department of the MCC on its part seems to be quite upbeat in meeting the challenge with the aid of its capable workforce as well as timely decisions on the matter.
According to sources within the MCC, wastes generated inside the MCC limits is around 190 tons per day. This is no less a challenge, as the Corporation has to seriously take into consideration the fact that the amount of waste generated may exceed the previous limits soon, necessitating urgent remedial measures on part of the Corporation. Madhu S M, environmental engineer at MCC informs that the disposal of waste may not be a big problem as the Corporation has obtained the requisite permission to acquire more land to dispose off the waste generated.
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Speaking to Daijiworld, the engineer informed that around 40.61 acres of land is being added to the existing land fill of 37.32 acres thus making up a total of 77.93 acres which is expected to tackle the problems pertaining to solid waste management in the future. Presently the landfill is being up-graded in four phases. Of these Phase I will serve the necessary purpose, for six years while the second, third and fourth phase together will serve the requisite purpose for the next 20 years or so. If segregation of waste is implemented, than the lifeline may extend over 50 years, reveals the MCC engineer.
The city corporation has left no stone unturned to ensure effective management of solid waste. Land fill will be built on a firm bed of 900 mm clay with 5 mm thick HDPE liner and gravel on top, along with a stabilization pond and an anaerobic pond, vermin composting pits supported with leacheate tank with a capacity of 25000 litres to avert toxic release from mixing with underground water so as to guarantee that groundwater remains uncontaminated.
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When asked about the possiility of the operation work being deferred, Madhu remains positive and details that till date Rs 9.24 crore and Rs 5.28 crore have been sanctioned for the completion of the landfill and compost plant (aerobic and vermin). Hence work will not be put off owing to paucity of funds and moreover tenders of operation and maintenance in this regard have obtained the approval of the council, he adds.
The department of environment is also hoping to generate revenue out of the waste dumped as windrow composting and spraying of bacterial culture will produce manure which can prove useful to farms.
Simultaneously the environment department has been actively involved in spreading awareness in the community through its information, education and communication programme since 2005. The programme involves door to door campaign, screening movies and distribution of pamphlets on how to facilitate the waste collection. NGOs are also invited to join in the programme. Moreover, the department sometimes organizes ward-level meetings to disseminate information and spread awareness. However, despite the department's efforts, Madhu could only say 'satisfactory' when asked about the programme's success.
Ruling out the common assumption that the department is hyperactive only at tail-ends like land fills, he says equal measures are being taken on streets too. RCC bins are replaced by containers, so as to lessen the burden and expedite the work of collection. As containers are huge in size they can sustain more amount of waste and prevent wastes like polythene sheets from flying and causing public nuisance and pollution, apart from becoming an eye sore, sources within the MCC added.