Kerala's solid waste management.

The state's solid waste management project faces a major challenge. Rs.2,300 crore project mandates five modern sanitary landfills, 130 acres needed for them.

The implementation of the KSWMP (Kerala Solid Waste Management Project) funded jointly by the World Bank and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) has set a huge challenge to the state government as it needs to acquire land for setting up five sanitary landfills - the mandatory component - to implement the project.

As per the norms set by the World Bank, the state will need at least five modern sanitary landfills having 25 to 30 acres each and as per the conditions, the landfills should be available within a range of80 to 100 km, for easy transportation of waste. A feasibility study would be launched soon. 

The Kerala Enviro Infrastructure Ltd (KEIL) is runs a very successful landfill for disposing  of hazardous inert waste at Ambalamedu in Kochi and therefore, it's hoped that there won't be any public resistance.

As per estimates, Kerala generates around 11,449 tons of solid waste per day of which around 3,521 tons is generated in urban areas and 7,928 tons in rural areas. The local bodies are struggling to ensure scientific disposal of garbage owing to lack of infrastructure and a proper end-to-end system. 

Decentralised waste management is the current policy of the Kerala government and the KSWMP has been designed in such a way that it would support and strengthen the existing system. However, for 100% solid waste management, certain centralised facilities are necessary and landfills aim to fix this gap. Only then can the waste manage cycle become complete.

Courtesy. Shainu Mohan in the NIE.

My take

A project that needs to be given the highest priority. Prosperity of any place is directly linked to its efficient waste management system!

Tailpiece.

Got up around 6, the chores and was ready by 10.

Went about our work on an otherwise quiet, yet wet day.

Saw Mammootty's movie, 'One', for the nth time, during lunch.

Had a long chat with Paritosh Nath. He and his wife, Joyce are reaching Guruvayur on 31 Aug.

Lekha has reached the 'Sundara kaandham', in the course of the Ramayanam recital, where Lord Sri Rama is gonna enter Sri Lanka. The three chapters viz., Bala kaandham, Aranya Kaandham and Kishkinda kandham have been recited as of date.