1. What is the need for the Kerala Solid Waste Management Project?
The state of Kerala generates about 2.2 million tons of solid waste annually in its urban areas. This includes garbage from homes, offices, shops as well as industries, institutions, etc. Though attempts have been made to bring in a scientific system for the collection, treatment, and disposal of the waste generated, success in that direction has not yet been reached. Despite recent efforts by citizens and city administrations, a major proportion of this waste continues to get dumped in open spaces which clog city drains and pollute local water bodies. Uncollected and untreated waste in dumps can become breeding grounds for pests, germs, and diseases, posing a serious hazard to public health and the environment.
The Kerala Solid Waste Management Project has been designed to strengthen the existing solid waste management system with the aim of ensuring that the towns and cities of Kerala are clean and livable. The Government of Kerala is being supported by the World Bank and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) in this project, which will help the state adopt global best practices in managing its solid waste.
2. What is the scope of the Project?
The project supports solid waste management in the 93 Urban Local Bodies in the State. The project provides for strengthening the ULBs through policy initiatives, technical support, additional human resources, training and capacity building of existing staff, and financial support for the development of SWM facilities for processing and disposal. The project also ensures the development of regional-level SWM infrastructure facilities for centralised management of solid waste.
3. What is the Project cost? What is the duration of the Project?
The total outlay of the Project is 300 million US Dollars (approx. Rs 2300 crores), out of which the World Bank’s contribution will be 105 million US Dollars and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) contribution will be 105 million US Dollars and the State Government’s contribution will be 90 million US Dollars. The total project implementation duration is 6 years. (2021-27).
4. Who will implement the activities?
A State Project Management Unit (SPMU) has been set up under the Local Self Government Department( LSGD) to oversee the implementation of the KSWMP. While most ground-level interventions in the cities will be implemented under the respective ULB, Project Implementation Units (PIUs) of KSWMP in the respective ULBs will facilitate the ground-level planning implementation and monitoring activities of the project. At the district level, DPMUs ( District Project Management Unit) with more resources in specific areas of expertise shall oversee the activities of the city-level PIUs and coordinate with the SPMU for review and approvals of the project components and release of funds to the ULBs. The SPMU will be in charge of the state-level policy formulation and implementation of the entire scope of the project including planning and implementation of the regional infrastructure projects. The Project Steering Committee headed by the Chief Secretary of the state provides overall oversight and guidance to the project implementation.
5. What benefits can citizens expect from this project?
People living in the 93 Urban Local Bodies are expected to benefit from this project. The Project will help improve the entire SWM chain in the towns and cities state, from segregation, collection, transportation, and processing to the scientific treatment or disposal of biodegradable and non-biodegradable wastes. This will help lead to better health and environmental outcomes for the citizens of these cities and make the state’s towns and cities cleaner and more livable.
6. What is the role of ULBs in the implementation of the project?
ULBs are the primary agency responsible for ensuring solid waste management in their jurisdiction and ensuring a litter- and pollution-free environment for their citizens. The project is designed to support the ULBs in strengthening their institutional and service delivery systems for SWM. The project also offers technical and project management support to the ULBs through SPMU, DPMU, PIU and consultancies. 50 percent of the total project fund to the tune of USD 150 million will be allocated as financial support to the ULBs for the sub-projects implemented by them.
7. What are the criteria for the Grants for the ULBs?
The total financial support to the ULBs comes to the tune of USD 150 million as Basic & Incentive Grants. 40% of the total amount is the Basic grant for the ULBs to be offered as soon as they sign the participation agreement and the remaining 60% will be offered as incentives based on the performance of each ULB.
Fulfilment of the following criteria makes the ULB eligible for the Incentive Grant.
a) Preparation of a 5-year city-wide plan for a climate-smart and disaster-resilient SWM system
b) Issuance of SWM by-laws that incorporate the principles of GoK’s new SWM strategy
c) Confirmation of access to use the land facility for safe disposal of wastes
8. Will the Project take into account the suggestions/concerns of citizens?
Public participation is a key element of the project implementation in every stage of KSWMP. SWM plans for each ULBS will be prepared with the support of technical support consultant through an extensive consultation process. Also, the SWM plan for each ULB and the sub-projects in this plan shall necessarily undergo direct public review at the Ward Sabhas and Development seminars and subsequently follow the Annual Development Plan process for approval. The existing statutory mechanism for citizen engagement is an integral part of the Project in the ADP process. Public hearings and consultation for appraising the community on the environmental & social impacts and mitigation measures are also mandatory for KSWMP. Thus, the public consensus is an integral part of all aspects of the project.
9. Is there a grievance redressal system where citizens can register their complaints about the project?
Yes. Grievance Redressal Mechanism is an integral part of the project. A web-based system hosted on the official website of KSWMP and a toll-free contact point at SPMU is operational. Further, social media will be actively monitored for addressing the concerns of the public and stakeholders. The complaint registered through toll-free number, website, email, social media pages, and complaint boxes of ULBs and KSWMP will be addressed promptly.
The SPMU will monitor the complaints lodged through these channels for project and service delivery issues and resolve them through the appropriate channels. The project shall also resolve the project-specific issues lodged in the Chief Minister’s Public Grievance Redressal Portal, a 24 x 7 online platform.
Toll-free no: 18004250238
E-mail: grmkswmp@gmailcom
Chief Minister’s Public Grievance Redressal Portal: https://cmo.kerala.gov.in/
10. The project has a limited lifespan. How will KSWMP ensure that the services and infrastructure put into place are sustained once the project period is over?
Even though the project period is limited to 6 years, the SWM plan to be prepared for each ULB is considering a time period of 25 years and the sub-projects taken up for implementation under the project are based on this. Also, the project is not only designed to create infrastructure facilities but will develop a system for its sustainable operation and maintenance; the ULBs are expected to carry forward these systems, and the project will include capacity building for the ULBs to do so. It ensures effective monitoring through capacity building and institutional strengthening
