Request from the group: Help needed to address problems regarding solid waste baling machines in the Andaman Island
In 2019-20, the ANI administration set up its SWM infrastructure in rural areas, which included a SWM cluster centre (a dry resource centre) that housed a baling machine, space for storage, segregation, compost pits and incinerator. The solid waste from a cluster of 2-3 Gram Panchayats (GPs) were supposed to be aggregated at these centres. There are 26 such clusters across ANI which are mapped to 70 GPs. Currently the GPs collect, segregate and bale dry waste in 16 categories, which includes different types of plastics, metals, clothes, footwear, suitcases, tyres, tin cans and e-waste.
Due to a lack of industries in the islands to process/recover waste, all of the waste is transported to the mainland by freight after they are compressed using baling machines. As per Rural Development department’s submissions to ANPCC, the 70 GPs in ANI altogether collected almost 300 tonnes of waste in August 2024. In South Andaman, the baling machines installed in SWM cluster centres have been facing persistent breakdowns since the lapse of their maintenance contract in 2022. The vertical baling machines, procured from Soham Impex Ltd., are crucial for efficiently transporting segregated waste to Port Blair and the mainland. However, other factors have worsened the issue—Gram Panchayats struggle with proper operation and upkeep, and frequent power fluctuations accelerating wear and tear. Despite attempts by local electricians, lathe machine technicians, and JCB crane technicians, the repairs only provide temporary relief.
Dakshin seeks a resource person to help resolve this issue. She / he must have
- experience in baling machine maintenance to diagnose & repair the machines in South Andaman.
- able to train a group of para-technicians to be capable of repairing machines within the islands.
- train the baling machine operators and sanitation supervisors for properly operating the machines to minimise breakdown
- connect with reliable companies that provide good quality spare parts.
- help us in creating guidelines, manual & training sessions for operators within GPs for proper operations & maintenance.
PFA a photo & the specifications of the baling machine supplied by Soham Impex:
We are also looking for partners/individuals with expertise in running MRFs, large scale wet waste management & recycling processes for different unmanaged waste like; glass, tyres, MLPs, sanitary waste.