Corporation junks debris recycle plant plans for Pallikaranai, Athipattu

The Greater Chennai Corporation has decided to drop the proposal of setting up of construction and demolition (C&D) waste recycling plants at Pallikaranai and Athipattu at a special meeting held recently. 

According to a Corporation official, the civic body appointed a private consultant to formulate an integrated solid waste management solution for the civic body. The consultant proposed a plan for collection, transportation, processing and disposal of construction and demolition waste at Athipattu and Pallikaranai.

Based on the consultant’s report, the Corporation had planned to crush debris collected from 15 zones of Chennai Corporation and recycle them into hollow blocks and paver blocks at Pallikaranai and Athipattu. It was decided to recycle 1,200 tonnes of debris per day, which was expected to generate revenue by selling these products.

“Presently, specified spots are earmarked in all the 15 zones for dumping C&D waste (debris) and then transported to Kodungaiyur and Perungudi landfills,” the official said. 

Without elaborating the reasons for dropping the proposal for debris processing plants, the official said that the decision was taken due to administrative reasons. However, it is learnt that the Forest department conducted a survey in Pallikaranai wetland recently, during which it identified huge volume of debris dumped in the wetland without check. Following this, it has taken steps to remove the debris. Nearly, 130 acres of Pallikaranai wetland was announced reserve forest in 2013.

The official said that the processing units would be built at Kodungaiyur and Perungudi dumping ground instead of Pallikaranai and Athipattu. “We have been collecting debris and dumping them in Kodungaiyur and Perungudi. So, there is a new proposal to set up the recycling units there,” the official added. Athipattu was used as dump yard by the erstwhile Ambattur municipality. After the annexure of Ambattur to Chennai Corporation, Athipattu is being used as a transit site.

Welcoming the move, residents of Pallikarani opined that Chennai Corporation should also remove the debris that has already been dumped in the wetland. “Corporation should take severe actions against the persons dumping debris illegally,” the urged.

The special council also decided to revise the already prepared proposal and draft a new proposal with the help of consultants, who would be appointed by Tamil Nadu Urban Infrastructure Financial Services Ltd (TNUIFSL). “New processing plants will be operated under public-private partnership (PPP) model,” the official said.

The civic body is collecting Rs 110 per sqm from the persons who apply for demolition licence and penalise persons who dispose of construction waste illegally.