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| Last Updated::16/07/2021

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SECOND COMING: The Kannahalli waste processing plant wore a festive look as it restarted its composting operations on Monday

The waste-to-energy plant at Kannahalli, which will supply 40 MW of power to KPTCL, has taken the first step towards that goal — composting of wet waste

It’s taken more than a decade but the waste-to-energy plant at Kannahalli has finally started working. The plant received 48.695 metric tonnes of wet waste brought by nine garbage compactors on Monday.

“The process of converting waste into compost has begun. Converting waste into energy will begin shortly at this plant,’’ said Randeep D, Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) Special Commissioner (Solid Waste Management).

This is significant as plants like these, will not only reduce the burden on the landfills which were incapable of receiving any more waste, but will also produce energy for the power authority. This will also result in savings for the BBMP in managing waste.

The waste-to-energy plant is being managed by Satarem Enterprises Private Limited (SEPL), which has set up similar plants in other states. SEPL will run the plant and manage its operations, and according to an MoU signed by the BBMP, SEPL will sell the power to Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) and the power will be supplied to the Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Ltd (KPTCL). The Kannahalli plant can process 1,000 tonnes of waste per day. Bengaluru generates more than 5,000 tonnes of wet waste every day. The Kannahalli plant is expected to reduce the burden on landfills. The BBMP had allocated 20 acres of land for this waste processing plant on a 30-year lease in 2011 but it was delayed due to resistance from the locals and other issues.

The plant is expected to receive 500 to 700 tonnes of waste per day and supply around 40 MW of energy to the Bengaluru Electricity Supply Company (Bescom).

Besides Kannahalli (500 tonnes per day TPD), the BBMP had set up six waste-to-energy plants in Chikkanagamangala (500 TPD), Sigehalli (150 TPD), Doddabidarikallu (200 TPD), KCDC (500 TPD), Lingenahalli (200 TPD), and Subbarayanapura (200 TPD). This would take care of about 2,250 TPD of garbage from the city.

Locals unhappy

Meanwhile, the locals are not happy that the waste processing plant will start functioning. They had organised massive protests against establishing the plant. “We have not followed the progress of the plant for the last few months. We are not aware of supplying wet waste to the plant. We want the authorities to close down this plant as it would affect the health of people residing in the vicinity,’’ said Channappa of Kenchanapura village.

Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Layout Site Owners’ Open Forum has condemned the BBMP for allowing the construction and functioning of the waste plant. They said that the solid waste processing plant must be away from the residential area to prevent health hazards.

“To protect the residents, infants, senior citizens, and animals from being affected by serious health and environmental hazards, we request the authorities to close the waste processing plants at Kannahalli and Seegehalli,’’ said Ashok M, Secretary, Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Layout Site Owners’ Open Forum.

He urged the state government and the BBMP to relocate the waste processing plant someplace faraway place to avoid inconvenience to the people who bought sites at Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Layout.

We have taken measures to reduce the odour and leakage of leachate from the waste processing unit by adopting the best technology and latest machines

- Randeep D, BBMP Special Commissioner, Solid Waste Management

“Why didn’t the State government and the Bangalore Development Authority consider the waste processing plant while planning the residential layout? People who bought sites here are feeling cheated. They can neither construct their dream homes and live here, nor can they sell these sites,” he said.

According to Randeep D, the waste-to-energy plant will be ready in 18 months. Satarem Enterprises wants to convert waste into compost by using better technology and managing the plant efficiently. It is zero investment for the BBMP till the waste to energy plant becomes operational,’’ said Randeep.

Reacting to opposition from the villagers against the waste processing unit, the BBMP Special Commissioner said,” We have taken measures to reduce the bad odour and leakage of leachate from the waste processing unit by adopting best technology and latest machines.”

According to Kathyayini Chamaraj, Executive Trustee of CIVIC Bangalore, the BBMP authorities must focus on establishing ward-level bio-methanation plants instead of focusing on setting up waste-to-energy plants. “What is the use of using energy to produce energy through the waste-to-energy plants?’’ she asked.

Leo Saldanha of Environment Support Group said that he opposes incineration of waste. “I have no issues if the proposed waste to energy plant produces biogas. I oppose burning of waste to produce energy,’’ said Saldanha.

Source:https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/bangalore/cover-story/junkle-book/articleshow/83553375.cms