Bhubaneswar: The capital city will turn vegetable waste from four major markets into automobile-grade CNG easing the burden on Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation’s waste handling system and reducing foul smell from decomposing market refuse.Under the new waste handling project, remnants of cabbage, cauliflower and other biodegradable vegetable waste generated in city markets, haats and by bulk waste generators will be collected and channelled for scientific processing.Official sources said around 50 tonnes of vegetable waste per day will be made available for conversion into compressed natural gas, subject to seasonal variation. On Monday, it signed an MoU with a private party that will take up the 50-tonne-capacity waste-to-CNG plant.
BMC additional commissioner Kailash Chandra Dash said the initiative would significantly reduce the burden on the temporary transit station (TTS) by diverting biodegradable vegetable waste for scientific processing. “Market waste is highly prone to foul odour, and timely lifting and processing would help reduce odour issues, especially during winter and monsoon, improving environmental conditions. The move would also reduce transportation load and associated operational challenges and costs for the civic body,” he said.He added that the project promotes scientific waste management, reduces dependence on landfill disposal and supports a circular economy by converting waste into clean energy.Another BMC officer in-charge of sanitation said the initiative is expected to spare the BMC from handling large volumes of such waste at its micro-composting centres. Vegetable waste, especially leafy discards even a day old, emits a strong foul odour and is difficult to manage in urban waste facilities.As part of the waste supply mechanism, the BMC will facilitate collection and supply of segregated vegetable waste from source to ensure that the material remains suitable for processing. “We will transport the waste to designated lifting points, from where the selected agency will lift, transport and process it further at its own cost and risk,” Dash added.The designated lifting points identified for the project are Unit-I Market, Unit-IV Market, Damana Market and the TTS near Sainik School.Under the operational framework, the agency has been directed to lift the waste within 24 hours to prevent accumulation and public nuisance. It will also be required to ensure strict environmental compliance, with no spillage or pollution during handling and transportation, BMC officials said.
