Rs 13 crore project to clear garbage at Saduperi

Revealing the details to DT Next, he said, the contract was awarded after local residents demanded the removal of 2 lakh cubic feet garbage spread over 8 acres at Saduperi.

“The contracted firm is getting equipment from abroad this month and once set up will segregate garbage into degradable and non-degradable categories. While degradable garbage would be converted to manure and given to farmers, the plastic-filled garbage would be sent to cement factories in Ariyalur,” he said.

When pointed out that the proposed move was similar to what the local body was already doing at 48 solid waste management centres in various parts of the town, Manivanan said, “We do it on a daily basis and this project is to get rid of accumulated garbage in Saduperi permanently.”

This has been taken up on an urgent basis as the Corporation normally collects 200 tonnes of garbage daily from 60 wards. After the segregation, plastic-filled garbage will be sent to two cement factories in Ariyalur at the rate of two loads a week. Each load amounts to slightly more than ten tonnes.

Sources revealed that manure from garbage is yet to gain currency among locals and that if not sourced out immediately could lead to storage problems for the Corporation.

Meanwhile, in a bid to streamline garbage collection, the local body has sought 116 battery operated tri-wheelers for the purpose.

Detailing further, Manivannan said, “The vehicles are undergoing trials at the Government Engineering College at Bagayam and will be put to use by the Corporation only after the engineering institution certifies and meets the specifications set by Corporation. Only then the cost factor be worked out.”

The move is part of the Vellore smart city project and will do away with the current practice of manual garbage collection through push carts.