Cuttack: The Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) has taken steps for setting up of an organic waste converter at Chhatrabazar, one of the biggest vegetable markets in state.
The municipal body has entered into an agreement with the Tata Trust for the project. The CMC initiative is expected to solve the solid waste management issue at the vegetable market.
Large amount of vegetables from across the state and even from other states usually reach Chhatrabazar. Besides, farmers from nearby areas also bring their farm produce to the market. The wholesale and retail trading of green vegetables usually leave heaps of garbage at Chhatrabazar. 
Moreover, traders and greengrocers at the market dump garbage and damaged vegetables into the nearby Taladanda canal and the main drain of the city. “Piles of garbage at Chhatrabazar and the foul smell emanating from them create a filthy atmosphere in the locality. The civic body in association with the Tata Trust will set up a waste converter to treat the garbage,” said a CMC official.
According to sources, the municipal corporation has allocated a piece of land at the market to Tata Trust. The trust will set up the converter at a cost of around `15 lakh. “Modern technology will be used to convert the garbage into compost from the garbage. The converter can process at least three quintals of garbage per day. Altogether five persons will be engaged at the waste treatment unit. Some officials have been deputed to observe the efficiency of a similar waste converter at Patia in Bhubaneswar,” said CMC city engineer Umakanta Gadanayak.
Tata Trust sources said the waste converter will be made operational by the January-end. Employees of the trust will guide CMC workers to run the converter for the initial six months. “CMC authorities are constructing a building for the project. We will take at least 15 days to install the waste converting machine. Initially, the compost will be utilised at nurseries run by the municipal body and the trust. Subsequently, local farmers will be persuaded to purchase organic compost from the unit,” said Tata Trust project manager Rashmita Patel.
Meanwhile, traders at Chhatrabazar have welcomed the CMC initiative. “We hope that the civic body will take necessary steps to make the project a success. Traders and shopkeepers at the market should also cooperate the CMC in this regard,” said Chhatrabazar Traders’ Association president Debendra Kumar Sahu.
PNN
