Waste Management in Mangalore: Start Up Guided by Ramakrishna Mutt Asked to Submit Detailed Report

Dakshina Kannada District Deputy Commissioner K.V. Rajendra has asked Mangala Resource Management Pvt. Ltd., a start-up guided by Mangalore Ramakrishna Mutt, to submit a detailed project report (DPR) to Mangalore City Corporation on how collection, transportation and processing of solid waste could be done in a better way in the city. Swami Ekagamyananda of Ramakrishna Mutt said that the start-up is processing wet waste produced by 600 housees (flats) in 16 apartments in the city on the premises of the apartments itself by adopting pot compost method which has been going on for the last one-and-a-half years. Swami Ekagamyananda suggested to introduce e-vehicles for collecting and transporting waste as it could save up to 50% in terms of fuel cost and maintenance of vehicles. He said that the corporation might require 300 e-vehicles and 20 lorries. About ₹10 crore investment might be required for purchasing vehicles. An area of bout 5,000 sq ft might be required in each one of the 60 wards to process wet waste in the ward level itself to convert it into compost. Wet waste will be converted as compost in a foul-free method. About 2,100 manpower is required to handle solid waste — from collection, transportation to processing. The DC informed that the seven-year contract of Antony Waste Handling Cell Pvt. Ltd., which now collects and transports solid waste for the corporation, will end on January 31, 2022 and also asked the corporation to extend the existing contract for some more months, if required, till a new system is put in place.