EU to help MCC tap renewable energy sources

Mysore selected as pilot along with four other cities in India

Taking cognisance of the increasing demand for conventional sources of energy, Mysore City Corporation (MCC) has decided to tap renewable sources of energy in the near future, through an initiative of Indo-European venture. 

Here, the European Union (EU) will be funding the major part of the project, under ‘Indo European Cooperation on Clean Technology and Energy Efficiency for Eco Cities’.

The City of Palaces is one among the five pilot cities selected for the project in India. While the European Union is expected to grant Rs 15 crore towards the project, MCC’s share will be Rs five crore. Mysore was selected under ‘tourist religious city’, one of the parameters cited for the project. 

The other pilot cities are as follows- Srinagar in Jammu, Amritsar in Punjab, Mahabaleshwar in Maharashtra, and Panaji in Goa.

N S Anand of Indian Green Building Congress (IGBC), Mysore, a wing of Builders Association of India (BAI), Mysore chapter that is playing the role of facilitator in the implementation of the project, said the project includes tapping of renewable sources of energy both from solid and liquid wastes, and rejuvenating water bodies by adopting natural method like channelising rain water towards the nearest lakes.

In the present set up, 400 tonnes of waste is generated daily from the 65 wards of the city corporation. 

Sewage farms

Among the waste generated, majority of the solid waste is dumped at the plant in Sewage Farm at Vidyaranyapuram. Two other yards at Kumbar Koppal in Hebbal and Old Kesare receive waste collected from the nearby localities respectively. According to the plans, focus will be on building a centralised waste dumping yard and also creating one more waste water treatment facility along with the existing plants at Rayankere and Old Kesare. 

Energy generation In the next level, energy will be generated using recycled wastes; both solid and liquid to meet the demands. In addition to this, storm water drains will be connected to the nearest lakes to keep the water bodies alive. In the absence of lakes, pits and other conducive areas to hold water, nearest to the storm water drains will be identified.

Anand said, MCC had given its letter of approval to the EU. Works on the project will begin soon after the visit of a delegation to the city.