THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Against the backdrop of severe resistance from local people across the State against the dumping of waste in their vicinity, like in Vilappilsala here, the State Government has decided to go in for imported ‘Truck-mounted emergency incineration units’ on a trial basis.
Costing Rs 2 crore to Rs 3 crore per unit, the alternative proposal on wheels is being looked into seriously since people are hesitant to permit other proven models for garbage management, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy told mediapersons after the Cabinet meeting here on Wednesday. He said that the moving units would be deployed in the city first. ‘’The experiment will begin here,’’ he said.
Two incinerator units, with a processing capacity of 0.5 to 1 tonnes and 2-3 tonnes per hour, will be imported, the Chief Minister said. SIDCO has been asked to invite tenders and stamp the deal which, he revealed, includes a five-year maintenance contract.
The incineration system provides a pyrolysis-type combustion and consists of a combustion chamber, where the waste is gasified. A post-combustion chamber is also there, where the unburnt components from the flue gas are destroyed. Evacuation of flue gas will be ensured through a heightened stack. The system is designed and constructed on a modular basis to facilitate shipping and reassembly on site.
The Chief Minister said the Government is keen that the units are brought here at the earliest. ‘‘It is popular in many western countries,“ he said.
On the Vilappilsala issue, he clarified that the State Government had provided the necessary support of the police force to the Corporation.
“But would people permit dumping?” he asked, reiterating that the prime responsibility to manage the issue rests with the Corporation.