The Hindu 31.07.2012
Practical solution sought to manage solid waste in cities
Union Minister of State for Urban Development Saugata Roy has stressed the importance of devising a practical solution for the management of solid waste in urban areas by harnessing or developing appropriate technology.
Delivering the inaugural address at the 3rd International Conference on Solid Waste Management on the Infosys campus here on Monday, he said there was not one workable technology to address the issue of solid waste management in urban areas though it was among the major challenges confronting the country.
The three-day conference has been jointly organised by the Mysore City Corporation (MCC), the International Society of Waste Management, Air and Water, and the Centre for Quality Management System, Jadhavpur University, Kolkata.
The Minister said scientific conferences such as these should be a forum for experts to discuss new ideas and develop new technologies, rather than only publishing research papers.
A grim picture
Underlining the importance of harnessing advanced but practical technology for management of urban solid waste, Mr. Roy painted a grim picture of the future in in urban areas as a result of the population growth and rapid urbanisation.
“The total urban population of the country, which stands at 377 million, is projected to grow to nearly 600 million by 2030, and nearly 50 per cent of the country’s total population will be in urban areas by 2050. This will have a tremendous bearing on solid waste management in the country,” said Mr. Roy.
He pointed out that urban India generated around 1.5 lakh tonnes of solid waste a day.But, per capita waste generation was expected to go up from 3.5 per cent to 5 per cent by 2030. Handling and disposal of solid waste was emerging as a major issue for policymakers, and the government should take it up on priority, he added.
‘Urban India generates around 1.5 lakh tonnes of solid waste a day’
‘There is not a single green city in the country that meets the criterion of no open defecation’
