Pune: Pointing out that the segregation at source is the only solution to address the issue of solid waste management, the Pune Municipal officials urged citizens to work in sync with the civic body in curbing the problem of solid waste management. This was pointed out in a meeting held between members of National Society of Clean Cities and PMC officials on the issue of Solid Waste Management in PMC on Saturday.
Addressing the meeting a senior PMC official said, "The positive association between the Corporation and the citizens is required to work on the problem of Solid Waste. Right now, we have 1500 – 1600 ton of waste produced in the city every day. Though, there are waste management plants of capacity up to 2100 ton per day, but they are not running at full capacity mainly due to the lack of waste segregation that has made waste management problematic.
Additional municipal commissioner Rajendra Jagtap said, "Segregation at source is the only solution. There are only 20 zero discharge wards in Pune showing 75% segregation of waste, but the rest of the wards do not have more than 45 – 50% segregation of waste."
"The city has 16 biogas plants, but we are totally dependent on the 1000 ton capacity plant in Hanjar, which is facing economical problems since last month or so. We are trying our best to increase biogas plants and work would start soon," Jagtap added.
During the meeting, municipal authorities and the citizen group also discussed about some short term solution to address the problem of solid waste management.
Citizens' complaint:
Ghanta Gadi not very efficient, no other means of waste collection
Burning of waste in open, mainly in slums, causing emission of harmful gases
Lack of attention from local ward officials making citizens watchdogs
Overflowing containers at main roads with peak traffic
Problem of pigs in many wards
Short Term Solutions
-Segregation at source
-Wet waste management at residential complex itself
- Innovative ideas like 'Waste Bank' where people would be paid for their wet waste per kilogram
- Encouraging private waste management agencies
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