Tables turned at round-table

A round-table organised by an NGO on Wednesday witnessed a war of words over the city infrastructure between its chairman and a British minister, who is on a on a four-day visit to India to discuss climate change and sustainable development. David Miliband, British Minister for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and Bombay First chairman Narinder Nayar argued over the city’s waste management programme, mass transport system, slum development and supply of drinking water. At one stage, the delegates wondered whether the NGO was representing London or Mumbai.  The British minister, in turn, was rooting for the city’s genuine problems. The round-table ended with more questions than answers.

DNA’s Puneet Nicholas Yadav provides a round-up of the round-table. 

Mass transport:

Bombay First’s Narinder Nayar said it is high time the city disposed of its old cars and bring in a new fleet of cars with Euro standards. He also said  mass transportation and pollution are not related to each other. But the NGO was surprisingly silent in its presentation on the serious issue of mass transport system. 

Miliband, the British Minister, however, was vocal. He stressed the importance of utilizing public transport to curb the increasing pollution and improve traffic regulation in the city. He said the city should not talk only about introducing a new fleet of cars. Even London, the city which he come from, face traffic problems, he said. But most of the public rely on mass transport. He said he also uses the system. Implementing mass-friendly transportation situation is the only solution.  

Waste management:

Bombay First said the city is looking up to London for better waste management. Nayar said a spaceless Mumbai is finding it difficult to dump garbages and that is why it is looking for better solutions. He said the city expects guidance from the UK.

Miliband took everyone by surprise when he said even London is looking up to other European countries for better waste management. The minister said  the UK would be a better example of what not to do than what to do in terms of waste and civic management. The effective utilisation and management of solid waste in the UK is just 40 percent, he said, and added, other European countries are worth emulating. The minister, however, added: “Waste is valuable and can be used to generate energy, especially methane from household waste.”

Slums: 

Nayar said the city had a major problem in tackling the slum population, which is close to 7 million. He argued that the slums are a hindrance to major development projects. He also wondered how and where the slum population could be relocated. 

The Minister, however, had nothing to say. He even looked perplexed by the gravity of the problem.

Third umpire:

Other participants at the round-table argued that the discussion was focusing on city-oriented development. They said in a country like India, rural development is equally important and needs more focus.