Compost purchase centres to come up in all 198 wards

The government will soon set up compost purchase centres in all 198 wards of the city. Speaking on the sidelines of the inauguration of ‘compost santhe’ near Vidhana Soudha, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said, “The Karnataka Compost Development Corporation will set up the centres to help farmers. Each tonne of compost will be sold at Rs 800 and the price will be Rs 200 per tonne if farmers make their own transport arrangements.”

He said along with the government, citizens and government officers play a pivotal role in keeping the city clean. “The garbage woes in the city will reduce to a great extent if people segregate wet waste and dry waste efficiently. Enough funds have been allocated in the budget for waste management. Four years ago, our city got the name ‘garbage city’. We are working towards restoring its garden city tag,” he said.

Agriculture Minister Krishna Byre Gowda said the Palike limits generate a total of 9,000 tonnes of compost, out of which about 4,200 tonnes compost have been booked for purchase. He said, “There is a huge demand from farmers for compost generated in the city.”
The minister said the compost generated from wet waste in his house was being used in the garden.

“But it never seems enough for us. Each household should compost wet waste and in this way, the garbage crisis can be tackled. Six to seven compost units are functioning in the city at present,” Byregowda said.

Mayor G Padmavathi and BBMP commissioner N Manjunath Prasad were present. Compost santhe is being held every week by the Palike in various places to spread awareness on waste segregation and composting methods.