Mangaluru: The minister for Urban Development Vinay Kumar Sorake inaugurated the innovative solid waste collection and transportation system at the Karavali Grounds here on January 23.
The programme began with an invocation. Environment engineer Madhu welcomed the gathering. Commissioner of Mangaluru City Corporation Hebsiba Rani Korlapati delivered the keynote address. She said that Mangaluru city has been divided into 2 zones, the contract period of the project is 7 years. The contractor has to deploy their own hydraulic vehicles for collection and transportation and the collected waste shall be transported using hydraulic vehicles.
She urged the Mangaluru citizens to segregate the waste into wet and dry separately at their household. Wet waste will be collected 6 days in a week and the dry waste once a week on Wednesday. She also said that the co-operation from the citizens is very much important to make Mangaluru a model city.
The programme was inaugurated by Vinay Kumar Sorake by lighting the traditional lamp along with other dignitaries on the dais. Addressing the gathering Sorake said that the Mangaluru City Corporation has successfully implemented innovative 2 package garbage collection system in line with the Municipal solid waste management and handling. It is the first of its kind in Karnataka.
He further said that 2015 year is very lucky for Mangaluru because MCC has taken waste management and collection as a pilot programme. Earlier Bengaluru was known as garden city and it was very clean but now it is called as Garbage city because waste management and processing is a problem. He also said that we are giving importance to waste management but the people of Mangaluru are facing health problems especially many are suffering from Malaria. In Jappinamogeru a sewage plant was inaugurated and soon another sewage plant will be inaugurated in Suratkal. Our intention is to make Mangaluru City a Malaria free city.
There was a demand to appoint IPS officer as commissioner for MCC and people were very impatient, we have fulfilled the demands of the people and appointed a commissioner with IPS qualification. There is lack of staff in MCC, we will start the recruitment process from next month. We are planning to make Mangaluru a smart city with 24X7 drinking water supply, waste management system and proper drainage system.
The government has sanctioned Rs 4.97 crore for the development of the Deer park at Kadri, it was the dream project of MLA J R Lobo and he was working hard for the grant from the government. He also appreciated Lobo for developing Pilikula. Funds have been sanctioned for various development projects in Moodbidri, Sullia, Bantwal and other places. Under the PPP model markets will be upgraded and there should be a complex so that the MCC can stand on its own feet. The smart city project has also been sent to the Central government for approval but the population in Mangaluru is 500 less to 5 lakh. We will put all our efforts to make Mangaluru a model city in the country. He also urged the people of Mangaluru to join hands with the city corporation to make this city a clean city.
MLA J R Lobo speaking on the occasion said, “We have created history by implementing innovative solid waste collection and transportation system”. At present the economic situation of Mangaluru city corporation is very poor but we are giving priority to keep the city clean. By implementing the solid waste collection and transporting system we have to spend Rs 20 crore per year, we hope that we will be able to cover the expenses.
He also said that there are many ways to develop the city but the system which the government follows in sanctioning the funds is poor. It takes very long time to release the funds for any project, by the time the funds are released the cost of the project also increases. He urged the minister to find a solution and de-centralize the procedures to release funds for the development projects.
He also said that the drainage water is now flowing in the rain water drains, when we stop the drainage water from flowing in the rain water drain we can proudly say that we are successful in our mission. When we develop the markets the city will also be developed. He urged the minister to also pay attention to the development of the district.
MLA Moideen Bava, Mayor Mahabala Marla, deputy Mayor Kavitha, former mayor Sashidhar Hegde, corporator Premanand Shetty, MD of Antony Waste Handling Cell Pvt Ltd Jos Jacob, Haridas Salian, former Commissioner of MCC Harish Kumar and others were also present
