KMC to set up compost plants to convert dry waste into fertilizer

Kolkata: The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) will set up compost plants beside its municipal markets for converting dry waste into fertilizers. A pilot project in this regard will kick off from Chetla market in South Kolkata.

"It has been approved at the Member Mayor-in-Council (MMiC) meeting today (Saturday) that we will set up compost plants wherever there is availability of space beside the municipal markets. The scales of fish and similar kinds of dry waste from the markets will be converted into fertilizers in the compost plants. Initially, we will use this fertilizer by our Parks and Gardens department and after we start producing in bulk, we will supply it to the fertilizer plants," said Mayor Firhad Hakim.

A top KMC official added that the civic body has plans to set up such plants beside compactor stations where there is availability of space.

"Our target is to produce 1,000 tonnes of fertilizer per day from the compost plants and then we will be able to supply fertilizers to various plants as per their requirement," Hakim said.

The MMiC, which is the highest decision-making body of the KMC, has also approved a comprehensive drainage plan for more than 10 wards in the city where open drains still exist. "We will seek for loan from Asian Development Bank (ADB) for overhaul of sewerage and drainage system of these wards and the work will be implemented by the Kolkata Environmental Improvement Investment Programme (KEIIP)," the Mayor maintained.

He will hold a meeting with top ADB officials on March 26 where the proposal for loan will be placed.

It is learnt that wards 140, 141, 139, 125, 126, 127, 142, 143, 144, 108 and 109 still have pockets with open drains and work will be taken up in these areas without further delay.

ADB has sanctioned reasonable amount of loan to the KMC time-to-time in developing infrastructure for supply of potable drinking water in the city as well as overhaul of the drainage system.