Imphal, November 16: As preventive steps to stop public opposition to waste treatment plant being conceived by the State Government, 75 residents of Kameng, Lamdeng and Taretkhul were taken on a spot inspection tour to Riat Khwan Forest, Mawlai near Shillong.

The spot verification team accompanied by Planning and Development Authority Chairman K Ranjit, manipur pollution Control Board chairman N Biren and Lamshang AC MLA W Brajabidhu returned to Imphal today.

Experts and officials of PDA, MAHUD and Imphal Municipal Council were also in the inspection team that were briefed yesterday by Managing Director of Anderson Biotech Pvt Ltd Chris Cajee whose firm has been taking care of huge wastes generated in and around the Meghalaya State capital since 2003.The underlying objective of conducting spot inspection at the Shillong waste plant was to spread awareness among the people in Manipur that waste materials could not only be disposed/recycled in a proper manner but such machinery could also produce manures and bio-fertilizers.

Contemplating that public awareness need to be created before setting up waste disposal/treatment plant in the State, the tour programme consisting of 75 Kameng, Lamdeng and Taretkhul residents were undertaken in order to prevent repeat of public objections like in the case of Langol/Lamphel plant sites.

Under cent percent funding from Ministry of Urban Development State authorities are envisaging waste treatment plant within Lamshang AC which on completion could convert wastes dumped at Langol and Lamphel area into products on high utility.

Explaining on waste management at the Mawlai plant Chris Cajee said wastes collected from Shillong city are piled at the plant site for 40 days after applying inoculum to eliminate germs and insects.

The waste materials screened and grounded by a machine produces blocks of 35mm size with same process applied until the blocks are reduced to 17 mm size and finally to 3.5 mm at the end of 15 days, he informed.

While non-degradable materials like plastics and bottles are separated for recycling process the main extracts from the machines are converted into bio-fertilizer and compost manure, the Managing Director said.

Interacting with media-persons who were also part of the inspection team, PDA Chairman K Ranjit had no doubt that approval of the local population where the waste disposal/treatment plants are being proposed is of utmost importance.

In case of public consent the Government is prepared to start plant works within March next year, Ranjit claimed while conveying that IMA authorities would be assigned responsibility to manage the plant.

All efforts would be made to ensure that needy people enjoys benefit churned out from the proposed plant including bio-fertilizers.

MPCB Chairman N Biren also informed that estimated cost of the treatment plant is around Rs 24 crores and construction works would be handled by the national Building Construction Corporation.

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