THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The city corporation and the Union govt are set to sign an agreement within a month to implement the ambitious CITIIS 2.0 (City Investments to Innovate, Integrate, and Sustain) programme.
The initiative envisages to support selected projects promoting circular economy with focus on integrated waste management and climate-oriented reforms.
Representatives from the National Institute of Urban Affairs and the French Development Agency recently visited Thiruvananthapuram to assess its existing waste management infrastructure.
Thiruvananthapuram is the only city in Kerala selected for the CITIIS 2.0 programme. Sources close to the project indicated that the representatives were impressed with the city’s current waste management facilities and praised its potential to serve as a model for waste management across India. They visited proposed sites for the refuse derived fuel plant at Manacaud Market and material collection facilities at Chalai and Chenthitta. The corporation, along with Smart City Thiruvananthapuram Ltd (SCTL), presented a detailed plan for the city’s waste management. SCTL, the implementing agency, is preparing the detailed project report, which will be submitted once the agreement is signed.
“We have provided a comprehensive presentation to the representatives. The next step is to sign the MoU, expected within a month, followed by the submission of the DPR. Our primary focus is to address dry or non-biodegradable waste,” said S Jahangir, corporation secretary.
SCTL officials noted that the DPR, nearing completion, includes proposals for land development, machinery and vehicle procurement, infrastructure construction, and operations and maintenance.
Key projects in the DPR include three RDF plants, automatic baling units, advanced technology-driven waste management solutions, and recycling stations. Upon DPR approval, the Centre will disburse Rs 133.5 crore for solid waste management in Thiruvananthapuram. The civic body aims to utilize these funds to transform the city into a zero-waste model through an e-platform for scientific waste generation, collection, and treatment. The city generates approximately 423 metric tonnes of waste daily, with around 127 metric tonnes being non-biodegradable.
Launched by ministry of housing and urban affairs last Nov, CITIIS 2.0 challenge saw participation from 84 smart cities nationwide. The programme will be implemented in collaboration with French Development Agency, the EU, the National Institute of Urban, and the German development bank. Thiruvananthapuram is among the 18 cities selected, alongside Agartala, Agra, and Jaipur. An initial DPR was prepared by SCTL, in consultation with Kerala Rail Development Corporation Ltd, and submitted to the Centre on Jan 15, securing the city’s selection for CITIIS 2.0.
