AAI-Corporation ink MoU to set up compost yards

The compost yards will be constructed in these three wards located at Nanganallur and Meenambakkam at an estimated cost of Rs 32.6 lakh, according to the MoU signed at the Chennai Airport, on Wednesday, in the presence of G Chandramouli, Airport Director, Chennai International Airport, R Ramamurthy, Zonal Officer (Alandur) and B Ajith Reddy, CEO of St Thomas cum Pallavaram Cantonment Board. 

According to the zonal officer, 175 Metric Tonnes of solid waste is generated daily in the zone. “Source segregation is going on and setting up compost yards will be helpful in the long run, for effective solid waste management. The compost yard is where the biodegradable waste will be turned into compost, which will be used in the corporation parks across the ward,” said Ramamurthy. 

The compost yards will be set up in AAI quarters in these three wards, spanning 3,099 sq feet. Chandramouli said that they had earmarked Rs 56 lakh for this project initially. 

“Due to the lack of space, we could dedicate Rs 32.6 lakh. The rest of the funds will be used to improve infrastructure for schools around the airport. Compost yards will also be set up in Polichalur, for which a tender will soon be awarded, and work will be completed by June,” said the official. 

Chandramouli also enumerated the projects underway to make the city’s airport on par with other international airports. “The walkator connecting Chennai Airport to the Tirusulam metro station is in the final stages and will be beneficial to thousands of passengers. 

The new terminals proposed have been plagued by space constraints. As much as Rs 1,500 crore has been allocated to demolish the old domestic terminal, currently unused, to make way for additional international arrival terminals. In addition, Rs 99 crore has been allocated for development of airport runways and taxiways. There are lots of upcoming projects,” said the airport director.