15 hours ago
Buried legacy waste piles up trouble for Jagathy project
T'puram: In what could become a significant waste management issue, excavation work for the proposed refuse recovery facility (RRF) at the Jagathy corporation ground has revealed over 100 tonnes of buried legacy waste.
The waste, left behind from past dumping, was uncovered during foundation work for the Rs 2 crore plant.
The site had been covered with topsoil years ago. However, recent digging exposed layers of decomposed garbage—including plastics, organic sludge, and construction debris. The stench has triggered widespread complaints from the neighbourhood.
"I was walking past yesterday, and the stench was unbearable," said Hari Sankar MS, a nearby resident.
"It's unacceptable that such waste was simply buried here." Another resident, Jibin Chacko, added, "I've only seen garbage piles like this in other states. It's disturbing to see it near my house. The corporation should act immediately."
Corporation secretary Jahamgeer S said legacy waste was found. "During excavation for the RRF foundation, we found legacy waste. A stakeholders' consultation has been completed and we plan to remove the waste on a war footing.
by Taboola
by Taboola
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We are planning to hand it over to the Kerala Solid Waste Management Project for biomining purposes," he said. A similar initiative at Vilappilsala faced stiff resistance from residents who raised concerns about land use and environmental effects.
Health standing committee chairperson Gayathri Babu said, "We respect public sentiment. The legacy waste will be removed and treated through recycling methods. The RRF plant will be operational soon."
The Rs 2 crore RRF facility, spread across 7,000 square feet with two floors, is designed to process around seven tonnes of refuse per day from Jagathy and surrounding wards. Once operational, it will cater to five to six municipal wards. Thiruvananthapuram has previously piloted RDF plants using pyrolysis technology to convert unsegregated waste into fuel.
Construction of the RRF plant is expected to begin within three months, following the issuance of the work order. "Once the waste is cleared, construction will start. The facility will be similar to the one at Manacaud," Jahamgeer added.
The state govt's broader biomining campaign aims to reclaim 37 legacy waste sites by next year, backed by World Bank and AIIB funding.
