Kerala Launches Rs 2,400 Crore Waste Management Project to Transform Solid Waste Disposal

The Kerala government has launched a substantial waste management initiative worth Rs 2,400 crore, known as the Kerala Solid Waste Management Project (KSWMP). The project is a key component of the ‘Malinya Muktham Navakeralam’ (garbage-free) campaign’s second phase and was inaugurated by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. With a focus on managing the growing urbanization in the state, Vijayan emphasized the need to adopt modern waste management techniques to address the challenges. The initiative includes the introduction of innovative material collection facilities and resource recovery facilities, as well as a Grievance Redressal Mechanism.

Vijayan stressed the importance of cleanliness in reducing communicable diseases and enhancing tourism. He aspired to position Kerala as a global model for waste management by 2024. The project is a collaboration between KSWMP, the World Bank, and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. During the current fiscal year, 87 municipalities and six corporations are set to launch sub-projects worth Rs 300 crore to strengthen solid waste management infrastructure.

The Local Self Government department highlighted that these projects, aimed at being completed within a year, are expected to be of international standards. The initial phase of KSWMP yielded positive outcomes, including a significant increase in doorstep garbage collection rates and the removal of a substantial portion of unauthorized waste dumps across the state. Authorities collected penalties totaling Rs 1.60 crore through enforcement efforts, and an additional Rs 25 lakh was obtained through fines based on informer-generated tip-offs.