Kolhapur's Major Waste Management Overhaul Gets Green Light
The Maharashtra state government has recently given its approval to a significant waste management initiative proposed by the Kolhapur Municipal Corporation (KMC). This project, valued at Rs 11 crore, is designed to tackle the pressing issues of solid waste management in the city. The civic body has outlined a comprehensive plan that includes the establishment of new composting facilities and transfer stations to enhance waste processing capabilities.
New Compost Plants to Process Wet Waste
As part of this ambitious project, KMC plans to set up two compost plants. One will be located at the existing Kasba Bawda dumping yard, with a capacity of 72 tonnes per day. Another facility will be established at Puikhadi to handle wet waste generated in the suburban areas. These plants are expected to convert organic waste into high-quality manure, primarily targeting waste from hotels and segregated wet waste from households.
Transfer Stations for Dry Waste Segregation
In addition to the compost plants, the KMC has proposed the creation of "transfer stations" at four strategic locations across the city. These stations will serve as collection points where dry waste will be taken, segregated, and prepared for further disposal. With a cumulative capacity of 40 tonnes per day, these facilities aim to streamline the waste management process and improve efficiency in handling non-organic materials.
Official Statements and Deadlines
Paritosh Kankal, deputy commissioner of KMC, emphasized the benefits of the new compost plants, stating, "The compost plant will yield good quality manure. Mainly waste from hotels and segregated wet waste from households will be treated at these two facilities." He also highlighted the timeline for implementation, noting, "We have set a maximum deadline of one-year to commission these plants. Meanwhile, we will also stress on awareness activities so that waste is segregated by the citizens at source."
Current Waste Generation and Legacy Waste Management
Kolhapur currently generates approximately 200 tonnes of solid waste every day, underscoring the urgency of this project. To address accumulated waste, the KMC is undertaking biomining of 2.12 lakh tonnes of legacy waste. This process involves extracting recyclable materials and reducing the volume of old waste deposits. Furthermore, after a prolonged legal battle, the landfill site at Takala has been cleared for dumping inert waste, providing a crucial disposal avenue for non-biodegradable materials.
Existing Infrastructure and Future Goals
The city already has a biogas plant at the Kasba Bawda site with a capacity of 50 tonnes per day, which generates power from waste. This existing facility complements the new projects, contributing to a more integrated waste-to-energy approach. The overall strategy aims to enhance Kolhapur's waste management system, reduce environmental impact, and promote sustainable practices through citizen awareness and advanced processing technologies.
