Auditing of Material Collection Facility at St. Thomas College, Ranni
On January 3, 2025, a team of ten students from the Bhoomitrasena Club of St. Thomas College, Ranni, conducted an audit of the Material Collection Facility (MCF) situated near Ittiyappara Bus Stand, Ranni, within the jurisdiction of Pazhavanghadi Grama Panchayath. The audit was supervised by two faculty members and aimed to assess the operational efficiency, infrastructure, and compliance of the waste management practices at the facility.
The facility is located near Ittiyappara Bus Stand, approximately 10 meters away from bus stands, shops, and parking areas. It occupies an area of 2000 square feet with a ceiling height of 12 feet. The building is designed for waste collection but features a sheet ceiling and metal mesh walls. Although CCTV cameras are installed, they are currently non-functional. Thumboormuzhi aerobic bins are installed in a separate section for biodegradable waste. Large quantities of waste collected from hotels and markets are processed using these.
The facility being situated near the bus stand and shops is easily accessible but exposed to public activity. The surroundings are poorly maintained, with unsorted waste scattered around the facility due to the lack of a designated space for initial waste collection and sorting. The disorder negatively impacts facility’s efficiency and cleanliness.
There is a functional weighing balance for monitoring the quantity of waste. But, essential equipment such as shredding units and conveyor belts for sorting are unavailable. The only available bailing unit is non-functional, further hindering waste processing. Hence, large quantities of waste are stored as such in large gunny bags inside the facility. Four fire extinguishers are maintained inside the facility to ensure safety during fire accidents.
All records are meticulously maintained. Separate registers are kept for user collection fees, Clean Kerala Company, and Consortium Meeting minutes. The amount collected from the users (houses and other institutions) are maintained ward wise, quantity of different types of waste (HM, LD, PP, Milma) collected by Clean Kerala Company, official decisions documented from Consortium meetings are maintained in these registers respectively. The registers are managed by the Harithakarmasena Secretary, ensuring accountability and transparency.
Harithamithram application, a smart garbage monitoring system, is actively used by Harithakarmasena members. Smooth operation of all the activities related to waste collection, transportation and monitoring is ensured via this application. However, members face occasional difficulties due to internet connectivity issues.
The Harithakarmasena members lack basic amenities such as separate office room, restroom, or dining area. Lack of availability of proper water connection also hinders the daily activities. Harithakarmasena members are forced to bring separate water bottles for drinking and other purposes. Though these facilities are reported as under construction, ensuring the completion of these projects can bring a positive impact on the working condition.
The Material Collection Facility at Ittiyappara plays a crucial role in local waste management but faces several challenges that hinder its optimal functioning. Improving the facility's infrastructure and allocation of additional space for initial waste collection and sorting is required to maintain cleanliness and order. Procuring and installation of necessary equipments and building basic amenities need to be addressed at the earliest. The facility have the potential to significantly improve waste management in the region with appropriate upgrades and support. Collaborative efforts by the local authorities and the community are essential to achieve sustainable waste management practices.
Programme Expenditure
| Sl | Particulars | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Refreshments & Travel Allowance | 500 |
| Total | 500 |
Report of the programme Download