കൊച്ചി Corporation looking for agency to run Brahmapuram plant

Corporation’s investment for the waste treatment plant is around Rs. 150 croreDiscussions are on with public sector fertilizer companies to operate the plantKOCHI: An expression of interest (EoI) for running the solid waste treatment plant at Brahmapuram has been floated by the Kochi Corporation.The move of the Kochi Corporation gains significance in the wake of its standoff with the Andhra Pradesh Technology Development Corporation (APTDC) regarding the completion of the final phase of the project.The contract between the two agencies for setting up the plant and running it for one year will end on Thursday.Council directiveThe corporation council meeting held last week had directed the civic administration to go ahead with its move to tender the rights for running the project for two years.The floating of EoI is part of the procedure, according to officials.Though no agency is coming forward for running the plant, it will not affect the plant as the health wing of the Kochi Corporation is fully equipped for managing it.The engineering and health departments of the corporation are all geared for running the plant, said Corporation Secretary Mini Antony.Easy taskUnlike running the plastic re-cycling and refuse derived fuel units, which require technical expertise, the management of biodegradable waste at the plant is an easy task for the health wing, which had been undertaking the work at different levels in the city, she said.Meanwhile, the civic authorities have initiated discussions with public sector fertilizer companies for running the plant.It is mandatory for the fertilizer companies to produce organic manure along with chemical fertilizers.Agencies like FACT can consider the option of running the solid waste treatment plant that produces organic manure and fulfil their obligation, said the civic authorities.Plant ownershipAs the plant was set up using the funds of the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission, the ownership of the plant will not be transferred to any agency.But companies can take up the running of the plant and produce organic manure.The investment of the corporation for the plant, including the value of the land, would come to around Rs.150 crore, Ms. Antony said.The plant was set up by HYQUIP Technologies for APTDC, which won the contract for establishing and running the plant. Settlement of billsThe corporation authorities had been maintaining that the final bills regarding the establishment of the plant would be settled after obtaining an evaluation report from FACT Engineering and Design Organisation, its consultant.They also accused HYQUIP Technologies of failing to complete some of the works associated with the plant, including a sanitary landfill site and an onsite laboratory.On its part, the HYQUIP Technologies had been complaining that bills for huge amounts were pending.