Activists slam delay in biomining project

Coimbatore: Almost three months have lapsed since municipal administration minister S P Velumani inaugurated the biomining project at Vellalore dump yard to dispose of solid waste scientifically. However, the project is yet to take off. Activists have questioned the delay in implementing the Rs 60.11-crore project.
The project was inaugurated on June 5, almost one and half years after the National Green Tribunal (NGT) directed the city corporation to dispose the waste at the dump yard scientifically.
The civic body conceived the project to dispose 9.5-lakh cubic meter of accumulated waste, thus providing a permanent solution to degradation of air and water in surrounding areas and free 69 acres at the dump yard.
Singanallur MLA N Karthik said, “Ideally, implementation of a project would start as soon as its inauguration. In this case, the project is delayed by three months as of now. It shows nothing but the poor planning and execution by the city corporation. It looks like the project was inaugurated with the assembly election in mind.”
Referring to the construction and operation of micro composting centres and other solid waste management activities in the city, the DMK leader said the civic body seemed to lack proper vision and planning in other projects too. “Garbage bins and drainages are overflowing and are not cleared regularly. It’s the sole reason for poor sanitary condition of the city.”
K S Mohan, secretary, Kurichi-Vellalore Pollution Prevention Action Committee, said delay in implementing the project meant Vellalore and surrounding areas would be polluted further. “Already, the foul smell is unbearable, underground water has become unusable and fly menace is high.”
The city corporation, he said, should work to stop fresh waste from being dumped at the dump yard. “What is the point of spending such a huge amount and implementing the project, if the civic body continues to dispose fresh waste on the same premises? It should take steps to operate micro composting centres.”
When contacted, a corporation official said the work was delayed because of the contagion. “We have already started installation of machineries and applied for high-tension power connection. Once the connection is obtained, we will speed up the remaining works.”