The Vellore Corporation is all set to execute a full-fledged biomining project to handle the accumulated garbage in its landfill site along Palar river off the Chennai-Bengaluru National Highway (NH-48), as part of environmental conservation efforts.
Corporation officials said that the plan will be tabled at the council meeting on Wednesday for approval before implementing the project. “The biomining project will help to reclaim the existing landfill for environmentally friendly purposes. It will also help to prevent the contamination of groundwater in its vicinity. The entire biomining work will be completed in 12 months,” R. Lakshmanan, Commissioner, Vellore Corporation, told The Hindu.
Among 90 proposals that would be tabled at the council meeting, the biomining work remains the key project that will be undertaken during the financial year at a cost of ₹11.50 crore. Some other works that will get a nod at the meeting include the laying of storm water drains in Old Town areas, maintenance of Overhead Tanks (OHTs), especially in schools, mosquito breeding control measures, and the construction of culverts to discharge excess rainwater into the 9-km-long Nicholson Canal.
“The complete removal of old wastes along the Palar river will help prevent mosquito breeding and pollution of the river. The reclaimed land should be used for public purposes like children parks and playgrounds,” said G. Vanitha, a resident.
