Abandoned mines to be turned into landfills

In a bid to address the growing concerns over solid waste management in the city, the district administration has identified two sites, which would serve as landfills.

The combined area of the two sites is 130 acres, said Deputy Commissioner C Shikha, here on Monday.

Speaking at an interaction with experts and various stakeholders regarding solid waste management in the city, she said that the sites were once mines, and have now been abandoned. While 100 acres is available near Shyandanahalli village on the outskirts of Mysuru city, 30 acres is available near Doddakanya village (towards Nanjangud).
Check contamination

“Even though there are apprehensions that there will be groundwater contamination if these pits are used as landfills, we have learnt that there are technologies that could prevent the same. A meeting will be convened shortly to discuss this aspect,” she said. The mining companies had stopped operation on the sites after the expiry of the lease period. Apart from ensuring waste disposal, natural gas could also be generated at the sites, she added.

Earlier, Vasuki, solid waste management expert from USA, spoke on the importance of waste management and briefed on available technologies to increase the efficiency of the same. How a city handles waste also influences tourism, he said, quoting Thailand as an example. Poor waste management measures had caused a dip in the number of tourists visiting the country, which revived with better management of waste, he said.

Burning garbage

Commenting on burning waste in the open, he said that it was an alarming trend, as along with pollution, it also impact on public health adversely. He said that cases of asthma and other breathing disorders were a consequence of such practices.

“When planning on implementing methods for waste management, local bodies should also consider the growth rate of a city. Waste generation is directly proportional to growth,” he said. Any delay in preparing to address the concerns would result in a situation similar to the one faced by Bengaluru recently, he said.

More than 50 per cent of the success of solid waste management depends on the collection of waste, which is not efficient in Mysuru, he noted. “After collection, most of the waste is converted into manure. After conversion, waste is also generated in compost pits, which are not being treated,” he said.

Several issues pertaining to the subject were discussed at the meeting. Gangaprasad, Mysore Grahakara Parishat member, briefed about dry and wet waste segregation methods that could be practiced at one’s backyard. MCC Commissioner, C G Betsurmath spoke on how the Corporation was handling waste and the projects taken up to address the issue.
DH News Service