THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, Kerala: The Local Self-Government Department (LSGD) in Kerala is preparing to launch a Rs. 100 crore project to reclaim legacy waste dumpsites in 20 towns across the state.
The project, which will be carried out in two phases, is part of the World Bank-aided Kerala Solid Waste Management Project. The Dumpsite Remediation Project aims to retrieve approximately 60 acres of legacy dumpsites through biomining and bioremediation and convert the reclaimed land into public utility spaces.
Kottarakkara, Kayamkulam, Koothattukulam, Kothamangalam, Muvattupuzha, North Paravur, Kalamassery, Vatakara, Kalpetta, Iritty, Koothuparamba and Kasaragod are the towns selected for phase I.
In phase two, the project will be executed in Mavelikara, Kottayam, Chalakkudi, Kunnamkulam, Vadakkancheri, Palakkad, Malappuram, and Manjeri.
Legacy waste dump sites in these towns will become redundant with the installation of scientific waste management infrastructure as part of the Malinya Muktham Nava Keralam campaign.
The plan is to set up Material Collection Facilities (MCFs), Resource Recovery Facilities (RRFs), bio-parks, or any other amenities that could be useful for the urban local bodies on the reclaimed land. As part of the project, around 4.30 lakh metric tonnes of garbage will be removed.
While talking about the project, M B Rajesh, LSGD Minister, Government of Kerala, said, “This is a transformational project that will turn our entire urban landscape far more clean, healthy, hospitable, and economically sustainable.”
“The process will follow all Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) guidelines for bio-mining and also strictly adhere to World Bank Environment and Social safeguards, thus ensuring that the local community is not inconvenienced in any manner,” he added.