CUTTACK: After earning accolades for being the first urban local body in the state to become free from open defecation, Banki Notified Area Council (NAC) has now decided to set up a solid waste management plant to ensure proper disposal of garbage generated in the area.The urban local body will soon sent a proposal in this regard to the state government seeking funds for setting up the plant. “At least Rs 3 crore is required to construct the solid waste management plant. We have identified land for construction of the plant and a detailed project report will be sent to the state government in a week,” said executive officer of Banki NAC , Satyabrata Mantri. After allocation of funds, work on the project will start immediately.Presently, Banki NAC generates 6.2 metric tonne of garbage a day and the entire garbage is straight away dumped in the dumping yard, located on the outskirts of the urban local body, without any segregation. At some places, the sweepers also burn the garbage.Mantri said the unorganized waste management practices poses threat to the environment and also causes health problems. So to resolve the issue and to make Banki NAC a better and clean, the solid waste management plant has been conceptualized.“The plant will convert garbage into green compost, which will be sold to farmers. The plant will generate at least 3 metric tonne of compost a day. The project will also help us to enhance our revenue,” added Mantri.There are 3600 households in Banki NAC and as per 2011 census it has a population of 17,621. The urban local body has plans to distribute two dustbins to each household in which they will collect dry and wet waste separately. Officials informed that very soon order will be placed for procurement of 4000 green dustbins and 4000 blue dustbins and each household will be provided the two dustbins free of cost. Besides, awareness will be created among people to collect garbage in these dustbins only and not to litter their neighbourhood.“Apart from our sweepers, few social organizations will be roped in for door to door collection of garbage. The dry waste will be handled by the social organization while the wet waste will be recycled in the plant,” added Mantri.The NAC officials have plans to float tenders for setting up the plant by third week of April and it aims to complete the project within three months.

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