Proposal of Municipal Corporation of Tirupati (MCT) to set up a ‘waste-to-energy’ plant in Gajulamandyam Industrial Park of Renigunta mandal ran into a minor roadblock on Wednesday, as residents of neighbouring villages staged a demonstration opposing the facility in their locality.
The municipal officials, accompanied by people's representatives and other stakeholders, were prevented by villagers from taking part in the ground breaking ceremony on Wednesday.
Mild tension prevailed when protesters removed tents and seating arrangements made for the event at the venue. They did not heed to the repeated pleas of officials to hold talks with authorities concerned. They blocked the road by staging a dharna preventing movement of vehicles. According to a senior municipal official, the villagers reportedly submitted a representation to the Chittoor Collector seeking shifting of the 'Waste-to-Energy' plant.
“For the past one month, we have been working out several modalities for setting up the facility with inputs from engineering officials and the implementing agency (Jindal), besides holding regular interactions with stakeholders. Though, there was no opposition earlier, we are unsure of the present situation. However, we will ensure that the issue is taken through proper channels without any problem to villagers,” he added.
Once established, the 'waste-to-energy' plant, spread over six acres and with a installed capacity of 6 MW utilising 600 tonnes of 'municipal solid waste' (MSW) everyday, would not only confine to Tirupati but also cater to other municipalities such as Chittoor, Venkatagiri, Srikalahasthi, Nagari and Puttur.
Speaking to The Hindu, MCT Commissioner C. Hari Kiran said in addition to six municipalities, the facility can also address the waste management of panchayats.
“We will surely evaluate the issues faced by the locals and would proceed with their support and cooperation,” he said.
Highlighting the State government's initiative to introduce such state-of-the-art facilities, Mr. Kiran said works for setting up such 'waste-to-power' plants would go a long way in addressing the waste management issues.
