Finally! City to recycle construction debris

Bengaluru: In order to deal with thousands of tonnes of construction, demolition and excavation debris, and dry waste generated daily in city, the BBMP is setting up the most advanced C&D (Construction and Demolition) Waste Recycling Plant near Kannur village in Mahadevapura Assembly segment in city.

If all goes as per plans, Namma Bengaluru will be the first city in the state to have this plant. Elsewhere in the country such plants were set up in New Delhi, Mumbai and other cities.

BBMP Special Commissioner (Solid Waste Management) D. Randeep told Deccan Chronicle that Palike will set up this plant with zero investment with city-based Rock Crystals under Public Private Partnership Model.

The civic body initiated this plant as the Supreme Court has given clear-cut directions to all urban local bodies, which had population of more than 10 lakh, to set up such a plant to deal with mounting construction and demolition waste.

BBMP had sent this proposal to higher authorities of the State Government, which has given administrative approval for this project. Currently the project has been sent to legal approval and waiting for the approval. BBMP has identified 10 acres of land at Kannur to hand over to Rock Crystals.

“As per the agreement, Rock Crystals will build, own and operate this plant for the next 20 years. If all goes as per plan, the company will begin its operations soon,” he added.

BBMP Executive Engineer Lokesh who is overseeing the establishment of this plant, said it will convert construction and demolition waste into ready-mix concrete, cement bricks, hollow bricks, pavement blocks, kerb stones, concrete bricks and M-Sand.

The plant not only helps to clear the garbage, but scientifically recycles construction and demolition waste. The plant will also provide cement bricks and other products at cheaper rates to the public. It will also reduce the damage caused to the environment.

According to 2006 survey estimates, city generates more than 3,300 tonnes of construction and demolition waste daily in all 198 wards, as against the total 11,000 tonnes of garbage in Karnataka.

“All these years, people were dumping construction and demolition waste on side drains, vacant plots, lake beds, storm water drains, Moreover, BBMP has drawing flak over the issue of handling construction waste, as people indiscriminately dump them in parks, on roadsides and vacant lands. This project will also helps to keep the city clean, prevent problems caused by dust,” he said.

Land transfer awaited
Rajesh, owner-cum-director of Rock Crystals said his firm has entered an agreement with BBMP in this regard and waiting for land transfer sought by him.

The firm will put up 750 tonne capacity construction and demolition waste recycling plant and processing unit. It will charge Rs 135 to process one tonne waste upon generator, which Rajesh claimed will be the lowest in the nation. In Delhi and Mumbai such plants charge Rs 300 per tonne.

“It will also process construction and waste generated by Namma Metro Expansion and Kempegowda International Airport works if they send the same to our plant,” he added.