After a trial run lasting one month, the authorities now have doubts about the efficiency of the mobile incinerator.
The state government will study the report submitted by the technical committee and review the functioning of the incinerator for three more days. It has demanded that the committee should include a representative of the supplier, Chintan Sales. The review is set to start on Wednesday. Incidentally, the incinerator has not been used since December 4.
The decision was taken at a meeting convened by Urban Affairs Minister Manjalamkuzhi Ali on Monday.
A technical committee, consisting of officials of Small Industries Development Corporation Ltd (SIDCO), Suchitwa Mission, Pollution Control Board and engineers of PWD and Corporation, had recently submitted a review report on the mobile incinerator. It suggested some modifications to improve the efficiency of the incinerator such as automatic filling of waste, raising the stack height etc.
Gujarat-based Chintan Sales had supplied the Rs 2.19-crore mobile incinerator a month ago.
“Owing to the flaws in filling waste, the machine could not feed the required 500 kg to 1 tonne of waste into the machine. The loading facility of the machine is not fully automatic,” said George Chakkacherry, executive director, Suchitwa Mission.
Officials of Chintan Sales will demonstrate the working in front of the technical committee. Visuals of the demonstration will be recorded.
Earlier, the officials had claimed that the mobile incinerator could dispose of 500 kg to 1 tonne of waste in an hour. During the trial period, the incinerator consumed 40-80 litres of diesel per hour, raising questions about the economic viability of the machine. “The mechanical wing of the PWD has suggested some modifications so that the machine would require less fuel,” the officials said.
“The technical committee has suggested some modifications in order to improve the efficiency of the machine. Representatives of Chintan Sales will be included for a joint review of the machine,” Chakkacherry said.