Paradip, Aug. 11: Decks have been cleared for the World Bank funded solid waste management project in Paradip Port Township.

A 50-acre plot required for the project under the Integrated Coastal Zone Management Programme (ICZMP) has been handed over to the Paradip urban local body for implementation.

A district committee constituted to oversee such projects in Jagatsinghpur district has finally approved the project.

Jagatsinghpur collector Satya Kumar Mallick said: “The project, worth Rs 30 crore, is now ready for implementation. The district ICZMP committee, consisting, among others, officials from the forest department, state pollution control board and urban development department, have given their final approval. Global tenders will be invited shortly. The project will be executed under the supervision of the Paradip municipality.”

The project was delayed because of unavailability of land. The huge quantity of untreated solid waste in and around Paradip was emerging as a major source of environment pollution and health hazard, Mallick had said.

Land near Rangiagada has been earmarked for the project. It was owned by the state-run Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (Idco). The plot is now under the possession of the Paradip municipality.

“A state-of-the-art solid waste treatment plant will be set up to treat and process the waste and garbage,” said Mallick.

The solid waste generated every day from the port town is at present being disposed off in a dump yard on the outskirts of the port town.

“The solid waste management project that is being implemented would have the capacity to handle 60 metric tonnes of untreated waste.