Council plans 64 compost pits costing Rs50L in Panvel

NAVI MUMBAI: Taking into consideration the rapid growth of Panvel, the municipal council has decided to produce fertilizer from garbage generated in areas under its jurisdiction. Panvel Municipal Council (PMC) is planning to develop 64 compost pits at the cost of Rs 50 lakh in the city. This would be less costly than transporting the waste to Cidco dumping ground at Taloja, said civic officials.On an average, 40 metric tonnes (MT) of domestic garbage is generated in areas under PMC. While solid waste can be disposed at the dumping yard, the bio-degradable garbage will be used for producing fertilizer.“PMC will develop the pits, mostly in open places of the city. They can also be created even in residential societies,” said Mangesh Chitale, chief officer.The civic body has appointed an agency to collect and transport the garbage to the dumping ground. They have also started a helpline, so that public can contact them for picking up piled garbage from a given spot.PMC will employ women rag pickers for segregating the wastes. A survey will be conducted to count the number of rag pickers and they will be trained about waste segregation. PMC president Charushila Gharat claimed that the project will also rehabilitate the rag pickers.