Bhubaneswar, June 10: The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has decided to publish an advertisement within a fortnight for the selection of vendors to commence the process of setting up of a solid waste treatment plant on the outskirts of the city.

The facility would be meant for solid waste generated from Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Jatnai, Khurda and Choudwar.

Speaking at the ‘Waste management conclave – 2011’ organised by Indian Chamber of Commerce here today, BMC commissioner Vishal Kumar Dev said: “After selection of the vendor, the technology to be used for the treatment plant will be decided within a year. The city will have a plant where wastes will be separated and non-degradable types will be used for land filling activities.’’

Bhubaneswar currently generates nearly 450 metric tonnes (MT) of waste. Of this, more than 10 per cent is plastic waste. The proposed solid waste treatment plant at Bhuasuni will thus have a daily input of nearly 600MT of solid waste for the proposed plant.

The municipal commissioner, however, added that the management of solid waste also needs quality manpower but the corporation was already facing a staff crunch. “Besides funds crunch and quality manpower, the system in the corporation also needs a quick revamp,” he said.

While resource generation without the proper implementation of holding tax and trade license is affecting the mega plan to have a solid waste treatment plant, during the launching of ‘Clean Bhubaneswar Campaign’ the BMC officials also received resistance from well-to-do people regarding minor expenditure on segregation and collection of solid waste.

“It is surprising that while the slum residents are eager to spend the amount, the rich are not coming forward. There is a need to change the attitude of the people on the solid waste management practices. The people should have some kind of responsibilities coming from their side suo motu, for a better city,’’ Dev added.

Hinting at the re-launching of the ‘Clean Bhubaneswar Campaign’ in the rest of the 58 wards of the city, the municipal commissioner also said that roadside vendors, ‘kalyan mandaps’ and other private community halls were generating huge quantity of solid wastes.

“We will supply modern dustbins at 2,500 prime localities of the city very soon to facilitate collection of the waste,’’ he said.

Prof. Sadhan K Ghosh, a well-known expert on solid waste management from Jadavpur University, Calcutta, said: “Besides the attitude of the people, involvement of schoolchildren, shopkeepers, businessmen and municipal staff plays a vital role in better solid waste management.’’

Advocating the process of segregation of the waste at source, Prof. Ghosh said there should be proper campaign at least for a year to educate people and then only the civic body can get good results.

“If the corporation can supply quality dustbins then the solid waste management process can improve,’’ he said adding that there should be enough socio-economic security of garbage cleaning staff and rag pickers.

They need proper uniforms so that these people can have more dedication towards their work.

On the role of the segregation of wastes at source, member secretary of the State Pollution Control Board (SPCB), Sidhanta Dash said: “ We are ranked 26th in the country in solid waste management as most of the things are working on ad hoc basis. So the city should try to adopt methods to segregate wastes at source.’’