The French Ambassador to India Alexandre Ziegler today underlined the need to treat waste in the most scientific manner in view of India producing 64 million tonnes of waste annually, of which only 30 per cent istreated.
Ziegler was speaking at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between French firm 3Wayste and the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike, the civic body of Bengaluru.
The company signed the MoU to conduct a feasibility test onwaste management.
It intends to bring in its waste-to-energyplant with a capacity of 500 tonnes atChikkanagamangala on the outskirts of the city.
Ziegler said "Today we are dealing with the most important matter. It is a most crucial issue the world faces today. Every year India generates about 64 million tonnes of waste, of which around 30 per cent only is being treated."
He said the situation may worsen further, requiring treating of soil, air and water.
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Ziegler said the French company has a lot of experience and successes in waste management.
He said the event he attended today was not just a ritual one, but also a commitment to launch it.
"We are not talking or signing MOU, but we are actually launching this project today. I firmly believe that this project will soon become a flagship for many other projects, not only in this country, but in other parts of the world and that will be a benchmark in terms of waste management," Ziegler said.
Bengaluru Mayor R Sampath Raj,who was present along with Palike officials, also wished success for this project.
The monstrously growing problem of waste disposal in Bengaluru had forced BBMP to take several measures, but without much success.
A BBMP official said the transportation cost of Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) produced in the waste processing units of BBMP to the cement companies, located 600 km away, is Rs 20,000 per truck, which is not economically feasible.
According to the MoU,BBMP and bulk generators will supply 300 tonnes and 200 tonnes of mixed waste to the plant.
The civic agency will not pay any tipping fee.
Thecompany will invest about Rs 250 crore on this project andproduce seven MW of power every day.
BBMP will not grant a loan tothe company.
The 15 acres of land where the plant will come upwill have a 30 year lease period and the company will sellpower to BESCOM (Bangalore Electricity Supply Company) at Rs7.08 per KV.
The firm has to start its operations in seven months and after completion of lease period, the entire facility hasto be handed over to the BBMP.
Palike has made it clear thatthe land cannot be pledged for any loan and its work cannot be subleased.
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