Shredder at Palayam soon

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: While its big plans on pipe-composting remain at the starting point itself, the City Corporation’s plastic shredder unit is getting ready at Palayam market. The only plan that has worked out in the last five months.  If things move at the same pace, then the unit could be ready within a week. The Corporation has spent ` 5 lakh on the construction of the shed and for wiring and other electrical works, which are underway. The plastic shredder was acquired by the Corporation under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) project last year.  ‘’For a starter, it would treat plastic from two wards under the Palayam health circle -  Palayam and Kunnukuzhy. The plastic would be taken to the unit and shredded and given out for road-tarring works. Already, some people have approached the Health wing for the shredded plastic, so we could sell it. There need not be any worry of the plastic getting accumulated,’’ said Palayam Rajan, councillor of Palayam and Welfare Standing Committee Chairman.  It is after various failed attempts that the Corporation has finally found a place for installing the shredder. The first choice was Manacaud market, where the councillor had vehemently opposed the setting up of the unit for the fear of a situation like Vilappilsala. Pappanamcode was then chosen for the unit and the spot identified was the industrial unit estate here. But the local people and the councillor had raised a furore and the idea was dropped.  Later, the Corporation had held talks with the Railways for installing the unit at Thampanoor. However, the meeting ended in a stalemate as neither the councillor nor the officials were interested in treating the plastic from nearby wards.  However, the Corporation officials feel that the coming up of a unit, even if it is only one, could bring about a change in the mindset of the public. ‘’Once they understand that it is not a smelly affair like Vilappilsala, we are sure more wards would be open to the idea,’’ said Palayam Rajan. According to officials, the Corporation has already identified eight to eleven other places where mini bio-plants could be installed and a couple of shredder units too. However, the plan is still under consideration.