Row over biogas plant at Kalippankulam market

The plan to set up a biogas plant at Kalippankulam market has hit a road block following the strong protest raised by the local people. The contract signed by the Corporation on June 15, 2012 was intended to complete the work by December 15 this year.

 “In the proposed plant, the move was to dump the waste generated in four more wards, Attukal, Manacaud, Ambalathara and Kuriyathi. In future, if the plant turns dysfunctional or gets damaged, the garbage would be dumped in the market place,” said Satheeshkumar K, a resident of Kalippankulam who filed a case with the Ombudsman regarding the matter.

 “Also, we fear a possible outbreak of diseases. This is a residential area and life would turn miserable for the residents nearby,” he added. The plant was supposed to process two tonnes of waste a day.

 A huge pit was dug for the biogas digestor in the place of an older one which was used by the people to dump waste.“When the pit was dug, the local people who protested against it came forward to close it. The repelling smell that emanated from the pit has fuelled the protest,” said Kalippankulam ward councillor M Vijayan. Following this, the councillor has placed the matter before the Corporation council to shift the plant to Palayam ward.

 When contacted, Palayam ward councillor Palayam Rajan  said that he had expressed interest to have a biogas plant to tackle the waste generated in Connemara market. “We have not insisted on shifting the plant at Kalippankulam to here. But if the plant is not going to come up there, it can be established here,” Palayam Rajan said.

 The Corporation is still trying to establish the plant at Kalippankulam.