Kerala Waste Management Project faces criticism for delays, inefficiency

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, Kerala: The Kerala Solid Waste Management Project (KSWMP), a Rs 2,400 crore initiative funded by the World Bank and launched in 2021, has been rated as ‘moderately unsatisfactory’ in terms of overall implementation progress, project management, and project development objectives.

Despite its goal of enhancing institutional and service delivery systems for waste management by urban local bodies, the project received only ‘moderately satisfactory’ ratings in procurement, monitoring and evaluation, and financial management.

The project, which encompasses 93 urban local bodies in Kerala, aims to develop solid waste management plans, raise awareness, and build capacity to reduce environmental pollution. However, the intended beneficiaries—the urban local bodies—have expressed significant dissatisfaction with the project’s progress and its overall benefits. Local Self-Government (LSG) institutions have also raised concerns about the delays.

A senior official noted that, four years into the project, KSWMP has yet to deliver the promised draft plan for solid waste management following its field study and gap analysis. The official highlighted that only minor support, such as safety gear for sanitation workers and some equipment, has been provided, with no substantial progress made in strengthening the decentralised waste management system or delivering the necessary technological support.

The Adoor municipality shared similar frustrations. Rony Panamthundil, Chairman of the Health Standing Committee, labeled the project as ineffective and un-beneficial, stating that despite receiving Rs 4.9 crore, KSWMP failed to fulfill its promises, including assistance with land acquisition. He emphasized that without adequate funding from state agencies, smaller municipalities like Adoor struggle to enhance their waste management systems.

In response, KSWMP officials claim that the project has gained momentum over the past six months, with committed expenditure increasing from 4 per cent to 14 per cent. Divya S. Iyer, Project Director explained that the initial years were focused on project preparation, planning, and recruitment.

While acknowledging that the numbers might not reflect significant expenditure, she stressed that the World Bank supports only scientifically proven, environmentally, and socially safe technologies. Iyer also mentioned that larger projects and regional investments, including five landfills worth Rs 1,000 crores, are in the pipeline, but noted that these safeguards may be perceived as obstacles by the public.