The Times of India          07.11.2013

Civic body plans steps to tackle garbage disposal

PUNE: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) is working on ways to ensure maximum utilization of the garbage processing units in the city. It may use new technology to dispose of the garbage.

Elected members and some civic officials will visit the garbage processing plants next week to take stock of their condition and study related issues.

"Earlier this week, citizens faced discomfort due to garbage that had piled up at various spots in the city. But since the last two days, the problem has reduced. The elected members and the PMC officials will soon visit the garbage processing plants to find a solution," said standing committee chairman Vishal Tambe told reporters on Wednesday.

The city generates nearly 1,300 tonne garbage every day and the quantity would increase with the population. Disposal of garbage is a matter of concern due to non-availability of enough dumping grounds. At present, the city's garbage is sent to Uruli-Phursungi.

"There are two major plants to process 1,300 tonne garbage. They process around 70% of their capacity. There are issues such as improper garbage segregation by citizens and high attrition at these processing plants. Only a few biogas plants in different areas of the city provide additional help in disposing of the garbage. We must find solutions," said Suresh Jagtap, head of the PMC's solid waste management department.

The civic administration plans to use mass burning to tackle the garbage. Civic officials said garbage segregation is a big problem. The PMC has started a zero garbage project to create awareness about segregation and involved NGOs and corporate houses to tell housing societies about segregation. They will also help in the direct disposal and management of dry and wet garbage.