T’puram: The city corporation is set to launch the first phase of its ambitious CITIIS 2.0 waste management programme within the next three months after receiving the initial funding from Union govt, enabling the civic body and Smart City Thiruvananthapuram Ltd. to begin key components of the project even as final approval for detailed project report (DPR) is awaited.The Union govt has released Rs 7 crore as the first instalment under Centre-sponsored CITIIS 2.0 (City Investments to Innovate, Integrate and Sustain) programme, while the state govt has contributed Rs 2 crore, taking the total funds currently available for implementation to Rs 9 crore.Corporation officials said the available funds would be utilised to initiate works that do not require further statutory approvals, ensuring that the project gathers momentum without waiting for Centre’s final clearance of the DPR, which has already been submitted to the ministry of housing and urban affairs (MoHUA).“The initial funding allows us to start preparatory and priority work immediately. We are identifying components that can be implemented without additional approvals so that the project can begin within the next three months. Once the DPR receives final approval from the ministry, the remaining components will be taken up in a phased manner,” a senior corporation official said.CITIIS 2.0 project envisages a comprehensive transformation of the capital city’s waste management system by adopting climate-resilient practices and circular economy principles. The programme is expected to strengthen every stage of waste management—from collection and segregation to transportation, processing and final disposal—through technology-driven interventions.One of the project’s flagship initiatives will be a digital waste tracking system, which will monitor the movement of waste from the point of collection to processing and disposal. Civic authorities believe the platform will significantly improve transparency, enable real-time monitoring and help identify gaps in the existing waste collection network.The project also proposes upgrading waste processing facilities, improving collection efficiency and modernizing key infrastructure, including material recovery facilities (MRFs), mini collection facilities (MCFs) and resource recovery facilities (RRFs). These upgrades are expected to strengthen the city’s decentralized waste management model while improving scientific processing and resource recovery.An SCTL official said the corporation and Smart City Thiruvananthapuram Ltd. are working closely to ensure that implementation begins as soon as possible.“We have already completed the preparatory work required for the initial phase. The funding now available will enable us to commence priority activities without delay. CITIIS 2.0 is designed to integrate technology with sustainable waste management practices, and once the DPR receives final approval, implementation will be expanded across all approved components,” the SCTL official said.Officials said the complete scope of the project would become clear only after the ministry grants final approval to DPR. However, the immediate focus is on strengthening the city’s existing decentralized waste management framework and addressing long-standing issues related to waste collection, segregation and scientific processing.The city has been facing mounting waste management challenges in recent years owing to rapid urbanization and the steady increase in municipal solid waste generation. Civic authorities believe the initial Rs 9 crore allocation will help expedite preparatory works, allowing the city to transition smoothly into full-scale implementation once additional funding and approvals are received.
