Residents to use waste to light up Reclamation

Sukhada Tatke | TNN

Mumbai: Don’t be surprised if, a few months down the line, you don’t find the BMC’s garbage collection vehicles in the environs of Bandra Reclamation. Local residents have come up with an idea to not only collect and treat the garbage generated in the area but convert it into electricity. The electricity, in turn, will be used to light up the Reclamation promenade.

The project aims at taking care of five tonnes of garbage per day generated from Reclamation, Bandra market, Rang Sharda auditorium, Spastic society, IES high school, Lilavati hospital and the green waste from the promenade. Members of the Bandra Reclamation Area Volunteers’ Organisation (Bravo) approached BMC officials on Monday with a proposal to set up a solid waste management plant and provide them space of approximately 500 sq metres for the purpose. Additional municipal commissioner Ashish Kumar Singh said, “I have asked the residents to make a detailed presentation and we will provide as much help as we can. If this is a success, the model can be replicated at other places in the city.’’

Residents made the proposal based on a survey they conducted, which found every building in the area generates anywhere between 7 to 70 kg of wet waste daily. “We will start by setting up a 5-tonne garbage plant, then set up another one. The segregated garbage will reach the plant where it will be further segregated and treated,’’ said Vidya Vaidya, secretary of Bravo. “Installation cost will be between Rs 28 and 30 lakh, with Rs 3 lakh annual maintenance cost,’’ she added. The plant will be partly funded by the Celebrate Bandra Festival association. Corporate bodies have also promised funding.

“This biogas can be used as a source of renewable energy to produce electricity,’’ said bio-gas expert Srinivas Kasulla who is providing his expertise to the residents. The residents also plan to involve members of the Stree Mukti Sanghatna to operate the plant, thereby providing employment to needy women.

Corporator Ashish Shelar said, “I have supported the project from the beginning and will help it get clearance from the BMC.’’

PROCESSING THE WASTE
The plant can handle 5 tonnes of segregated organic biodegradable waste per day. It will use a biomethanation process developed by BARC Process temperature will be managed through solar panels Daily 350 cubic metres of biogas will be generated The biogas will be used to generate electricity

RAINWATER HARVEST
The surface runoff water will be collected in a catchment It will later be filtered and decontaminated It will be treated for oil, rubber It will be stored and then distributed for non-potable use