Solid waste management system on the anvil in Indore

INDORE: Struggling with its garbage disposal methods, Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC) is now planning to implement cluster-based integrated solid waste management system along with smaller urban municipal bodies Depalpur, Sanwer, Rau and Mhow for better upkeep.
Taking a cue from Katni and Sagar district of the state, where cluster-based solid waste management proved to be successful, the urban administration development department is planning to implement it in Indore, Bhopal, Rewa, Satna and Vidisha.“Besides, we have identified around 25-26 urban areas across the state for integrated cluster-based solid waste management system,” said state urban government officer Neelesh Dubey.
He added that the state government in 2018 vision document has envisaged implementing the scheme in all urban local bodies of the state in next three years.
“Municipal corporations across the state have been incompetent in managing solid waste as standalone entities. Hence, it has been decided to share the role and responsibilities with private partners in a cluster- based model,” said Dubey. Elaborating further, Dubey said that the cluster-based approach will enable IMC to divide responsibility of segregation, transportation and disposal of waste among different clusters managed by private partners. While the civic body will act as leading unit to monitor and manage operation, smaller urban local within 60 to 80 km radius would be consortium members.
The civic body would also designate a landfill site where solid waste from these areas would be processed. “The cluster-based system will also save land use in the cluster,” said IMC secretary Abhay Rajangaokar adding that the plan would be put before mayor-in-council for approval.
The project, which will also include door-to-door garbage collection, would cost around Rs 100-150 crores. “The state will bear 40 per cent of the cost incurred on the project and the remaining expenses would be divided equally among civic bodies and private payers,” he said adding that Indore being the financial capital of the state, many private players are showing interest in the project.