The Times of India                09.01.2014 

Garbage-free city plan in 2 weeks

NOIDA: The Noida Authority seems serious about keeping its New Year's resolution to ensure that the city remains garbage-free. Taking the first step in this direction, a dozen foreign companies gave their presentations on Tuesday before Authority chairman Rama Raman. Officials said a company will be finalized within the next two weeks. The Authority has also planned to conduct a drive to make residents aware about the two kinds of waste so that segregation starts at home.

A Hyderabad-based agency showcased its technology and methodology of dealing with municipal waste. "It has promised door-to-door collection of garbage, segregation, transportation and disposal of waste," said Akhilesh Singh, deputy CEO, Noida Authority. He added that more companies will show their methods of dealing with municipal waste so that the Authority can pick the one that best suits the city's requirement.

"The idea is to streamline the prevailing garbage collection and disposal mechanism. Two high-tech sweeping machines have already been acquired to clean the city," said another official.

Officials said that the proposal incorporates collection of household, medical and industrial waste, which would be segregated before being sent for recycling. The Authority has already built primary garbage collection points outside many sectors. "These garbage collection points are closed from all sides to ensure that stray animals do not enter and create a mess," said a senior Authority official.

Authority officials also said that there is a need to make residents aware about separating various kinds of waste. "Few companies will not be able to function properly if segregation is not done," the official added.

Noida produces 500 tonnes of waste daily that is mostly is dumped onto roads, green belts and vacant spaces. Residents have been demanding for a proper garbage disposal system for a long time, but nothing has materialized so far.