Mo Khata Kiosk in BMC area inaugurated

Bhubaneswar: In a significant step towards solving the problem arising out of the grounding of dumping yard in Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) area, Chief Secretary Suresh Chandra Mohapatra inaugurated an exclusive outlet ‘Mo Khata’ at Smart Janpath in Bhubaneswar today.

Housing and Urban Development secretary G Mathivathanan and BMC Commissioner Prem Chandra Chaudhary were present.

Replying to media queries on the occasion, Mohapatra said, “Micro compost centre (MCC) initiative would resolve the problem of dumping yard and would also provide bio-fertilizers to the denizens of Bhubaneswar at affordable prices.  The initiative also creates employment opportunities of WSHGs and local youth. It will be expanded to the other urban bodies in phases”. Sri Mohapatra added, “This is a sustainable waste management technique which while reducing the burdens of dumping on the land will also reduce the carbon footprints in the urban areas”.

It may be pertinent here to say that under the initiative, the organic or wet waste is being processed in Micro Composting Centers using ‘enzyme solution’ and converted to compost-manure. Mo Khata kiosks are being run and managed by Swachha Sathis. This is high-quality compost.  The compost will be of great help to farmers who are now turning their attention to organic farming.

To make it affordable, the Civic Body has fixed its price – Rs 125 for 5 kg and Rs 445 for 20 kg of packets. Besides, a discount of Rs 25 for 5 kg and Rs 45 for 20 kg packets is available. One can also place purchase order over phone. The mobile number to make order is +91 781 504 2331. In this mode, a customer needs to pay the delivery charges in addition to the cost of the compost.

“We have opened this outlet at a prominent location in order to help people who are interested in buying the good quality compost at affordable rates,” said Commissioner Choudhary.

Ashok Mohanty, a businessman present on the occasion said, “It is a great initiative from BMC to provide good quality organic compost to people at a price lower than market rate. This compost can greatly help in improving plant growth and health,”

As of now, eight MCCs – three at Nicco Park (for Ward No – 35, 36, 28 & 29), one at Laxmi Sagar (for Ward No – 32 and 33), two at Unit – VIII (for Ward No -51, 47 and 48), one at Pandara (for Ward No 18 and 19), and, one  at the Temporary Transit Centre near Sainik School (for Ward No – 12 and 17)   are operational.

Available data shows, Bhubaneswar generates over 520 tonnes of waste every day. Out it, around 250 tonnes is wet waste. Quantity of garbage collected daily requires 45 days of processing for conversion to compost.  It is estimated that with operationalization of all 43 MCCs in BMC, the city waste can produce nearly 50 tonnes of compost per day.

The Civic Body is also running a campaign to generate awareness on the door-to-door collection of garbage and segregation waste at the source. The garbage collection vehicles will have separate bins to collect biodegradable waste and other waste from the source.