BBMP's plan to adopt Kolkata waste model hits a hurdle

The BBMP’s plans to set up transfer stations to help resolve solid waste management (SWM) issues has hit a roadblock of sorts.

Now, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike will present the contractors’ side too before the government.

Although the issue has come up on the agenda of the monthly council meeting, Sarfaraz Khan, joint commissioner, health and solid waste management, BBMP, said, “The SWM contractors have said that they want the system to work well and have extended full cooperation. If we bring in transfer stations, it will reduce the number of auto tippers and compactors owned by the contractors. So, we will present both the sides
before the government for approval.”

The BBMP had planned to set up about 100 transfer stations in the city, which serve as secondary waste collection centres. Auto tippers will dump waste into these transfer stations. Each station has the capacity to hold 24 tonnes of waste. The collected waste is then sent to the landfill or waste processing unit.

This system was proposed by the BBMP officials after learning about the Kolkata mode.

The officials had attended a summit, ICON SWM-2016, where they were introduced to the model. If implemented, it helps in reducing the number of auto tippers and compactors. “One transfer station is equivalent to three compactors,” said Khan.

Earlier, each transfer station required about 1,000 sq ft area. Since there was space crunch, a model has been designed wherein everything will be kept within 1,200 sq ft.

“A similar model is followed in places like Delhi and Ahmedabad,” said Khan.

The collected waste will then be treated and the residue sent to the sewage treatment plant, he said.