Madurai Corporation to intensify production of fertilisers at Vellakal micro-processing unit

About a month ago, the Madurai Corporation had announced the collection of waste in four types and planned to intensify fertiliser production at the Vellakal micro-processing unit.

However, as the support from residents was lacking, officials planned to intensify their campaign through resident welfare associations and NGOs in the city.

On Thursday, Corporation Commissioner Gaurav Kumar visited the Vellakal compost yard in Zone 5 of Ward 92 along with Assistant Collector (Training) Siddarth Pokarna, health officials, the engineering team and others.

During the visit, he was briefed about the intake of fruit waste, among other waste, on a daily basis, which was subsequently converted into fertiliser at the processing centre.

While segregation of waste at source had yet to reach residents across all 100 wards, the officials were confident of mustering the support of the people. Segregating the waste into biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste, among others, would help the sanitary workers swiftly despatch it to the yard.

The Corporation had also commenced collecting e-waste from residents and, at a recently held campaign at the Tamukkam Convention Centre, there was a huge response, officials said.

Saplings planted

In association with Young Indians (Madurai chapter), the Corporation had proposed to plant 700 saplings in and around Vellakal on the lines of the Miyawaki scheme. There are about 25 different types of saplings, Yi office-bearers led by Vikranth, Madhumitha, Lakshmi Rajan, Harshini and Vijay said, adding that they planned to enhance the green cover of the city.

Review meeting with Collector

Later in the day, District Collector Nishant Krishna presided over a meeting at the Anna Maaligai and reviewed the various works underway in the city.

He advised the officials to complete pending works, including the Mullaperiyar river drinking water project. There were complaints raised by councillors at the council meeting, and residents too had expressed concern over leakage. Hence, considering all this, the Collector urged the officials to expedite the works, officials said.

Similarly, keeping the monsoon in mind, he said that before it became active, the underground drainage works should be completed. He also inquired about the Kamarajar breakfast scheme for schoolchildren in the Corporation.

The health officials were told to keep a close watch on the dengue cases reported in the city and take precautionary measures at the early stages. He suggested conducting fever camps and screening children and aged persons.