‘Mo Khata’ compost outlet inaugurated in Odisha capital

Bhubaneswar: Chief Secretary Suresh Chandra Mohapatra today inaugurated an exclusive compost outlet namely ‘Mo Khata’ at Rajmahal Square in Odisha capital.

“Micro Compost Center (MCC) initiative would resolve the problem of dumping yard and provide bio-fertilizers to the denizens of Bhubaneswar at affordable prices. The initiative also creates employment opportunities for Self Help Groups (SHGs) and local youths. It will be expanded to the other urban bodies in phases. 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,” said Mohapatra.

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 Swachh Sathis.

The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has fixed the price at the rate of 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 7815042331. 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 Prem Chandra Chaudhary, Commissioner, Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation.

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 that Bhubaneswar generates over 520 tonnes of waste everyday. Out of it, around 250 tonnes are 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 area, the city waste can produce nearly 50 tonnes of compost per day.

The Civic Body is also running a campaign to generate awareness on 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.