Kollam: The bio-mining process to reclaim land at Ugrankunnu, Kottarakkara, which was a dumping ground for legacy waste for years, is nearing completion. As part of the project, accumulated waste is excavated, segregated and the combustible components (RDF) are being transported to the Dalmia Cement factory in Coimbatore. So far, 249 metric tonnes of RDF have been dispatched. There is an estimated 9,090 cubic metres of waste at Ugrankunnu, consisting mostly of plastic, footwear and glass.The backfilling process, which marks the final stage of bio-mining, is scheduled to begin by the end of this month. Once backfilling is completed, the 40-cent plot, which was previously covered in waste, will be available for other developmental activities. The bio-mining works are being carried out by Kerala Solid Waste Management Project (KSWMP) with financial assistance from World Bank. Ugrankunnu remained an isolated area with little human activity for years, eventually turning into a major dumping ground. Waste from shops and markets in the town was deposited here for a long period due to the lack of proper processing facilities. SMS Company, based in Nagpur, Maharashtra, secured the contract through a tender process to clear the waste and restore the land to its original state.
