C'garh has 24 MW 'waste to energy' power generation potential: MNRE

Chhattisgarh has ‘waste to energy’ power generation potential of 24 MW as per the assessment made in the 2014-15 annual report of Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).As per the report, there has been a growth of over 20 per cent of renewable energy during the last five years in the country. From the total renewable power installed capacity of 14,400 MW at the beginning of 2009, it has reached a capacity of 33,791 MW at the end of December 2014, it stated. 

Wind energy continues to dominate India’s renewable energy industry accounting for over 66 % of installed capacity (22,465 MW), followed by biomass power (4,165 MW), small hydro power (3,991 MW), solar power (3,063 MW) and Urban & Industrial Waste 107.5 MW. In terms of electricity generation, the renewable power installed capacity is generating around 70 billion units per year, the report pointed out.

Incidentally, the processing of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) on a cluster basis while adopting 'Waste to Energy Technology' for three cities would soon be implemented in Chhattisgarh.The project is proposed to be undertaken through public- private participation (PPP) model on a Design, Finance, Build , Operate and Transfer (DFBOT) basis, officials stated.

Initially, the Raipur, Bhilai and Durg municipal corporations have been chosen for the project, officials informed.The State Urban Development Agency (SUDA) would be implementing the project.The  municipal corporations of Raipur, Bhilai and Durg would be involved in collection, segregation, storage , processing and disposal of municipal solid waste in Chhattisgarh.

The MSW would be governed by rules promulgated under the Environment Protection Act 1986.These rules require scientific processing and disposal of  entire MSW generated in the cities.The approximate quantity of MSW to be generated in the three cities is as follows- Raipur 450 tonnes per day ( TPD), Bhilai 220 TPD and Durg 130 TPD totalling 800 TPD.

The project would be implemented in the identified municipal land to be leased by the respective municipal corporations.The selected operator  would have to design, finance, build, operate and maintain the project for 25 years. Notably, the Chhattisgarh Environment Conservation Board (CECB) has already ordered the officers of local bodies to strictly ban the burning of plastic and solid waste in public places in the entire State. 

In a circular to all the officers of  the local bodies,  the Board said as per the order of year 2000, the burning of  solid and plastic waste in the open are banned and is against law.The circular said that it has come to the notice of the Board  that the plastic waste was being burnt in the open, thus polluting the air in the vicinity. It is  a clear case of violation of law, it stated. Stern action should be taken to prevent burning of solid waste material in the open. If any local body ignores the order then law will take its own course, the CECB stated in the circular.

It is pertinent to mention that the State government has banned use of polythene carry bags from January 1. Since then, RMC officials are conducting inspections and collecting polythene bags from different parts of the city.It is noteworthy that State Government has constituted State-level Advisory Committee for monitoring the implementation of provisions of notification released by Union Ministry of Forest and Environment New Delhi in the year 2011, regarding proper disposal of waste plastic.

This Committee has been formed by Urban Administration and Development Department. Principal Secretary of Urban Administration Department is the Chairman of this committee.There is a provision of including one expert from each of Environment Department, Environment Conservation Department, local Urban Body, NGO, one from industrial area and one expert from education field, as members of the committee.

Director of Urban Administration and Development Department is the Member Secretary of this committee.The  Chhattisgarh government decided to declare the State as ‘Plastic Carry Bag Free State’ and it came into effect from January 1, 2015.Urban Administration and Development Department had issued a draft notification last year and had then requested people to send their objections and suggestions within 30 days.

In the draft notification, the Government had stated that plastic carry bag causes both short-term and long-term environmental damage and health hazards.

“Article 48-A of the Constitution of India envisages that the State shall endeavour to protect and improve the environment. Hence, Chhattisgarh government is of the firm view that plastic carry bags are detrimental to environment and also to the health of people as well as animals,’’ the government statement said.

It is observed that that plastic carry bags causes blockages in drains and gutters, leading to serious environmental problem. In order to prevent such environmental hazards, the State Government has decided to declare Chhattisgarh State as a 'plastic carry bag free area.'

The State Government ordered that no person including shopkeepers, retailers, wholesalers, traders, vendors etc, should use plastic carry bags.

State Government further ordered that from January 1, 2015 onwards, no person shall manufacture, store, import, sell or transport plastic carry bag in Chhattisgarh State.

It has been clearly stated in the notification that the words 'plastic' and 'carry bags' shall have the same meaning as defined under the Plastic Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2011.The containers used for packaging food material, milk and raising plants in the nurseries are not carry bags. State Government further directs that District Collector, Officers of Commercial-Tax Department, Regional Officers of the Chhattisgarh State Pollution Control Board, All Commissioners/Chief Municipal Officers of urban local bodies of the State will implement these directions and file complaints.