Page 68 - Plastcs News January 2019

in the news

GHMC might cut water connection IIT-B creates biomethanation

for littering plant at campus

reater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) n a bid to address waste disposal at the Indian Institute
Gis disconnecting water connections of people who are Iof Technology, Bombay (IIT-B) campus, the alumni
damaging roads and littering public places. Instructions of the Class of 1990 has created a biomethanation
have been issued to Deputy Commissioners and Assistant plant with a capacity of 2 tonnes per day. The plant,
Medical Officers of Health (AMOH) for imposition of which was inaugurated Saturday by the director of the
penalties for a variety of violations. In January, each circle institute Prof. Devang Khakhar, will treat the food waste
has been asked to identify a minimum of 500 instances generated from the hostel mess. It is said that this will
of violations and levy penalties accordingly. Offences reduce 25 per cent of the LPG cylinder requirement
include open dumping of garbage, open littering, open for cooking food in the hostels. Biomethanation is a
process by which organic material is microbiologically
urination, dumping of construction and demolition waste,
converted under anaerobic conditions into biogas.
The three main physiological groups of microrganisms
involved are: fermenting bacteria, organic acid
oxidising bacteria, and methanogenic archaea.
Biomethanation has strong potential for the production
of energy from organic residues and wastes. It is said
to help reduce the use of fossil fuels and thus reduce
carbon dioxide. “Biomethanation plant can be used to
partially or fully substitute energy requirement like,
cooking LPG gas, steam, electricity, thermal oil and
chilling. Furthermore, the nutrient-rich fertilisers can
be used for agricultural purposes. However, since it
is inside the campus, our plant will be able to treat
letting out soiled water onto the road, use of plastic 2 tonnes of food waste generated from the mess of
bags less than 50 microns in thickness, and display of hostels 12, 13, 14 and nearby hostels per day,” a note
illegal flexis and banners. Another circular, issued about from IIT-B said. IIT Bombay remains indebted to alumni
a fortnight ago, asked the AMOHs of all the circles to of class of 1990 for this wonderful green initiative.
crack down on violators for littering in public spaces, This initiative will help address waste disposal and
roads and in front of shops, throwing waste in drains, lead to generation of sustainable renewable energy.
open urination and dumping of C&D waste. Penalties to
be imposed for various offences range between ₹100 and
₹10,000, the minimum being for littering of roads and open
spaces, and the maximum for dumping of unauthorised
debris and garbage in nalas or drains.As an initiative to
keep the city clean and green, the Greater Hyderabad
Municipal Corporation (GHMC) has already ordered all the
shopkeepers to keep two dustbins outside their shops. last
year The GHMC provided shopkeepers with two dustbins
each in Hyderabad and the defaulters were fined with
the minimum amount if they are found throwing litter on Established in 1958, the second of its kind, IIT Bombay
roads. Further on, GHMC area in-charge, Kumar said “as The institute is recognised worldwide as a leader in the
an initiative taken up by ‘Swachh Survekshan’ we gave field of engineering education and research. Reputed
dustbins to all the shops in this area and requested them for the outstanding calibre of students graduating from
to throw the litter in that itself.” its undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.

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