THRISSUR: As local bodies run out of options on how to manage municipal solid waste, the state government has proposed the establishment of seven waste-to-energy plants. But just like the plant at Brahmapuram in Ernakulam, green activists have raised concerns over the ambitious plan.
As per a government order dated June 11, an advisory committee has been appointed to oversee the proposal.
Based on reports submitted by Collectors, the government has earmarked land in seven districts - 6.07 hectares at Peringamala in Thriuvanathapuram, Lalur in Thrissur and Kanjikkode in Palakkad, 5.12 hectares at Njaliamparambu in Kozhikode, 4.04 hectares at Panakkad in Malappuram, 3.93 hectares at Chelora in Kannur and 2.85 hectares at Kureepuzha in Kollam.Power plans with a capacity of 5 MW will be established at the sites based on the public-private partnership model.
Kerala State Industrial Development Board has been designated as the nodal agency to set up the plants.
While environmentalists applaud the concept of turning waste into energy, they have also raised some concerns. According to V S Vijayan, former chairman of Kerala State Biodiversity Board, “The concept is a feasible one and it has been in practice at various places. Since waste menace is a burning issue, such a project may be the solution.” But the sites chosen for the project are worrying, he said.
Muvattupuzha-based environmentalist and biologist Shaju Thomas added, “It is always recommended to try the project first in one place and bring out modifications based on it before expanding to other districts. Before implementing the project at a stretch in seven districts, the feasibility, cost effectiveness have to be considered.”In a reply to a question raised by Karnataka MP Nalin Kumar Kateel in the Lok Sabha on December 28, 2017, the Minister of New and Renewable Energy replied that only six waste-to-energy plants based on municipal solid waste were established in the country, while other such plants were on agricultural, industrial or urban waste.
In total, the six plants generate 65.75 MW.
Meanwhile, locals have also raised concerns about the project sites. Peringamala in Thiruvanathapuram is forest land and tribal people in the area have started a protest against the setting up of the power plant. Residents of Lalur, who had fought for years against the trenching ground here, are also gearing up for another agitation.
Green activists point out that an environmental impact study and socio-economic impact study should be conducted before implementing the projects. Drying and burning waste may affect the environment. In Kerala, where it rains for six months, municipal solid waste are wet, unlike other states, which again causes a worry.Sanjeev S J, an environmental activist who supports the protesters in Peringamala, said, “When we enquired about the project, even the panchayat authorities were clueless about such a project.” He alleged that vested interests are behind the undue haste in clearing the power projects.