2400 crore Solid Waste Management Project dragging on

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As garbage becomes a threat to life, the Rs 2,400 crore Kerala Solid Waste Management Project announced by the government a year ago is dragging on. Directions to speed up the project are likely to be raised in the all-party meeting called by the Chief Minister today for a garbage-free Kerala.

Out of Rs 103.37 crore allocated in the first year, Rs 74.39 crore has been spent. The only achievement so far is the completion of fire audits at waste treatment plants and areas where waste piles up. A drone survey was also conducted. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan announced the project on August 20 as part of the Nava Keralam campaign.

The term of the project is six years. As it is a project implemented in collaboration with the World Bank and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), the state has to report on its progress each year. State Project Management Unit and District Units will be formed. The activities will be coordinated by appointing a Solid Waste Management Engineer in the municipalities.

1200 crores for municipalities and corporations
Out of Rs 2400 crores, Rs 1200 crores will be utilised for municipalities and corporations to implement solid waste management. The rest will be utilised to set up sector-level solid waste management systems.

Utilization of fund (first year)
Fund allocated by World Bank and AIIB............. 72.36 crores
Fund allocated by state government.................31.01 crores
Total fund allotted so far......................... 103.37 crores
Money that reached in project account............... 81.12 crores
Money spent so far.................................. 74.39 crores
Fund earmarked for current year......................300 Cr
Share for local bodies ............................. 180 crores
Money provided to local bodies this month..........14.69 crores