The Karaikal Municipality has prepared a Detailed Project Report(DPR) by engaging firm SEEDTRUST for collection, processing and scientific disposal of solid wastes. The government of Puducherry has approved the DPR submitted by Karaikal Municipality and instructed to call the tenders as per the DPR. The firm “Hand in Hand Inclusive Development and Services” has been awarded the work among the participated tenders after getting approval of the government. In continuation the scheme of solid waste Management system was launched on 14.11.2016 and is operational from that date onwards.

The main objective of the project was to divert the waste reaching the landfill from 18 wards covering 22,532 as on 2011 censushouseholds and wastes from small, medium and large business enterprises, public places, educational institutions and other government entities on a daily basis. The long-term objective is to reduce environmental degradation caused by solid waste.

Prior to the inaugural ceremony, HHIDS conducted mobilization and training programs a smooth launching of the project.Around 140 Green friendswere selected from a total of 250 members and due training on solid waste management involving door to door waste collection, sorting, cleaning, transportation etc., was imparted. Apart from these, around 30 members were recruited as motivators, organisers and in block manager cadre for the efficient management of the project.

Tata Goods autos are used as primary collection vehicles for door to door waste collection from households, vehicles such as tippers, tractors are used in the secondarymode of operationi.e., for transportation of waste to the resource recovery park (RRP), a 3 acre plot which is given for HHIDS for managing of solid waste. At the RRP, waste is further sorted and segregated accordingly and weighed. The organic waste is treated and bio-composted whereas the recyclable waste is channelized to recyclers and the inert waste gets routed to the dumping yard.

The SWM project is designed in such a way that the 18 wards are covered during the day between 6 am and 2 pm using 23 goods auto with a recorded audiomessage on solid waste management. Adedicated team of 4 green friends and a motivator go in each of the allocated collection vehicle for door to door waste collection and for sensitising the household members. The garbage from the small, medium, large companies, commercials, institutions and other entities are collected between8am and 4pm using tractors. And the main roads and arterial road cleaning and dustbin clearance is done during the night shifts 10pm to 6am.

Several awareness programs were conducted since project initiation involving various stakeholders from all walks of the society. Door to door awareness programs were run to sensitise, educate and train households on source segregation in all the 18 wards while commercial establishments and institutions were given separate awareness programs on solid waste management. Honourable Minister, Local MLA’S, Government officials were participated in the door to door campaigns, rallies, tree plantation etc., to strengthen the reach and message through awareness programs on SWM conducted by HHIDS.

Various Information, Education and Communication activities such as display of signboards, pamphlet distribution at various religious centres of worship, mass cleaning, and awareness programs for self-help group members, awareness programs for community members and for students from various schools and colleges etc., were conducted for bringing behavioural change in the community/society. Till now, HHIDS have reached out and sensitised around 80% of the schools and colleges in the Karaikal Municipality. A special program ‘Young Karaikal’ was organised involving 600 youths from various colleges where Honourable Governor addressed the gathering and coaxed the youngsters to support the government’s initiative towards making a cleaner Karaikal.

Various public programs were organised to create an ownership of solid waste management amongst the people of Karaikal like mass cleaning initiatives, picking litter campaign, tree plantation, cycle rally etc., These programs not only emphasized the importance of source segregation but also created volunteers for bringing about behavioural change in the community. Taking cues from HHIDS’s awareness activities, now housewives are giving demonstration of source segregation voluntarily in their wards to those who fail to segregate and give their waste.

Key Achievements
Around 210 programs conducted as part of creating awareness on SWM amongst various stake holders
About 90 % of Karaikal Municipality is a dust bin free area. Few bins are kept at the common and institutional spaces only.
The entire Karaikal Municipality now follows a two bin system and a bag for recyclable wastes.
Management of waste happens now round the clock - 24 x7. Thanks to HHIDS for their services.
People of Karaikal stands sensitised on source segregation and solid waste management.
80 % of the schools and colleges in Karaikal Municipality are aware of SWM principles.
2000 students from schools and 750 students from various colleges were trained on SWM concepts and management.
2000 students from NSS and NCC were imparted specially designed training program with field exposure.
500plus people participated in the various solid waste management awareness rallies.
8000 plus people are sensitised through religious worship centres.
9000pluspeople are made aware on SWM through community & self-help group awareness programs.

Highlighted achievement is 33% of the households in Karaikal Municipality now are segregating their waste at source. Source segregation was almost nil during the initial phase of the project.