Chennai to introduce capsule containers for cleaner garbage transport

Chennai Enviro Solutions is implementing a Rs. 35 crore project to transport garbage in specially designed, sealed capsule-shaped containers to prevent waste from spilling onto roads and reduce foul odour. At present, waste collected from households and public bins across the Greater Chennai Corporation is transported by compactor vehicles to transfer stations. From there, heavy vehicles carry it to the dumping yards at Kodungaiyur and Perungudi. Garbage spilling during transit often causes foul smells and sanitation problems, affecting residents living along the routes and motorists. Chennai Enviro Solutions, which handles sanitation work in several North Chennai zones, including Royapuram, Thiru Vi Ka Nagar and Manali, is setting up a dedicated waste transfer station at Pulianthope as part of the new initiative. Under the system, garbage will be compressed and loaded into sealed capsule containers, preventing it from being exposed during transportation. Ten modern trucks will carry the containers from the station, while two additional trucks will operate within the facility, taking the total fleet to 12 vehicles. The project will have 48 capsules, including 40 for daily use and eight kept as reserve. Four advanced compression machines will process waste at a rate of 35 tonnes per hour each, enabling a combined capacity of 140 tonnes an hour. Each container, with a capacity of 24 cubic metres, can hold up to 14 tonnes of garbage. The transfer station is designed to handle 840 tonnes of waste daily. The new system is expected to reduce the number of truck trips between transfer stations and dumping yards, while also helping ease traffic congestion and lower vehicle emissions. The facility is expected to become operational soon.