Mumbai’s first zero garbage society

The BMC has not sent its garbage collection vehicle to Narayan Pujari Nagar in Worli since the last six months, reason being the society does not have garbage to give to the BMC

By: By Kiran Tare
Narayan Pujari Nagar, Worli, has found a solution to its garbage problem. All the 300 families in the society creates natural fertilizers of its garbage. They segregate their wet and dry garbage. Dry garbage including plastics and iron is sold in the market and the wet garbage is sent to the bio fertilizers plant set up in the society premises.
The rectangular shaped bio fertilizers plant has nine boxes (popularly known as pitch) each five feet deep. Once the wet garbage is poured in the box, a chemical powder is spread over it to increase the decomposing and stop bad odour. Out of the nine boxes, three are used for fresh garbage. Each box’s capacity is to hold a week’s collection of garbage.
Due to chemical application, the decomposition of the garbage takes three days and it turns blackish. It is then pulled out of the box and kept on the ground for drying. At this stage the garbage turns into good quality natural fertilizer. The fertilizer is then packed in cement bags and sold in the market.
The BMC set up the plant as its pilot project six months ago. This is the first bio fertilizers plant, a brainchild of R R Markandey, Deputy Chief Executive of Solid Waste Management department, by BMC in the city. Stri Mukti Sanghatana (SMS), a women’s organisation is appointed to operate the plant.
Kesar Ghogare, a worker of SMS deployed on the plant, said, “We utilise around 50 kgs fertilizer from one box in three days. It is very healthy for crops and flowers. 250 gms of fertilizers is sold for Rs 20.”
Stressing on the benefits of the plant, Markandey said, “the plant has made Narayan Pujari Nagar a zero garbage society. While the capacity of our dumping grounds is reducing rapidly, such a plant is a useful tool to keep the city clean. Moreover, it creates natural fertilizers on a large scale and at a lower price.”

Publication : Mid-Day; Section: News; Pg:7; Date:20/8/06