Orissa Newsletter Orissa learns waste management: Solid waste solves power problem

By Debashish Tripathy

The State government of Orissa has launched a new campaign to save the environment from gradual destruction, due to waste production. This is popularly known as “Health from Waste” programme. In the first phase of the programme, the twin cities of Cuttack and Bhubaneswar have been targetted, where the production of waste will no more remain a curse but a blessing.

This programme envisages the establishment of power plants-six MW power plants are to be set up in different areas of the twin cities in the joint collaboration of Cuttack Municipal Corporation and Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation, where the solid waste of the township will generate electricity, which will solve the problem of power supply shortage. The State government, having realised the nature of the plight caused by waste products, has made the allotment of adequate funds under the “Prospective Plan of 2030”. Till 2030, Orissa aims to become successful in the field of waste management.

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According to official sources, an estimated quantity of 289.53 MT of solid waste is generated everyday from domestic and commercial sectors in the State capital. It excludes the quantity of waste produced by different construction programmes, undertaken by the authorities of the twin cities. In Cuttack, quantity of solid generated waste is 344 MT each day. Whereas 100 MT of waste is produced only in S.C.B. Medical College Hospital, the leading hospital of the State

But the problem arises as to where these plants are to be established. Nivedita Pradhan, the Mayor of Cuttack, told Organiser that very soon these plants would be established near Chandaka forest, adjacent to the famous zoo, Nandankanan. But this may create problem of pollution in the natural beauty of Nandankanan, allege some locals. Some of the State plants like Ekadanta Power Pvt. Ltd. have shown their interest in this field. ?We are talking to them regarding the cost, etc, of the project and this programme will soon see the light of the day,” said Shri Mihir Mohanty while talking to Organiser.