Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Jan 5: After the state high court granted a stay for the smart city works in the city, the city corporation, realising the seriousness of the situation, has finalised sites for concrete waste disposal.

As per the recent rules, construction waste cannot be dumped everywhere. The waste should be processed by using mechanical equipment and then it should be disposed of. For that, it may take some time to prepare a detailed project report and adhere to the tender process. The corporation has approved Kunjathbail and Pachanady as the sites for the disposal of construction waste. Proposals to create dumping yards at these two places were pending since long but a final decision had not been taken.

 
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The city has more concrete and old remains than solid and demolition waste. The high court had said that it would stay the works till a decision on waste disposal is taken. City corporation commissioner Akshy Sridhar, who appeared before the high court bench, had assured to abide by this decision. Therefore, works are not being held after December 4 including at Hampankatta and Car Street. The corporation therefore is in a hurry to dispose of the waste.

At a recent session, the corporation had decided to dump construction waste in a stone quarry at a government land at Kunjathbail that is now defunct, and an area behind the spot earmarked for solid waste disposal unit at Pachanady. As per the construction and demolition waste disposal rules, waste generated has to be processed and disposed of. But nowhere in the state such are procedures followed.

At present the corporation has five acres of land at the above two sites for the disposal of construction waste. Karnataka Pollution Control Board officials have also inspected the spots and given their approval for the same. City corporation commissioner Akshy Sridhar, said that the corporation will give an undertaking to basically follow the rules about demolition waste for the present, as completely sticking to these rules now would not be possible. We then will request the high court to permit to continue with smart city works, he clarified.