Throwing light on the challenges of urban waste management and opportunities there of, Minister of Urban Development M.Venkaiah Naidu has urged the corporates and industrial and trade bodies to ‘walk the talk’ in respect of ensuring cleanliness and waste management in urban areas. He shared his concerns while addressing the ‘Waste to Energy’ Conference organized by the ASSOCHAM here today. M.Venkaiah Naidu has called for a concerted action to recycle urban solid waste and sewage for converting them into energy, fuel, fertilizers and irrigation water. He stressed on ‘reduction, recycling and reuse’ of solid waste and sewage . He has said that his ministry is identifying domestic and foreign companies who can provide cost effective solutions for solid waste and sewage management through reduction, recycling and reuse. The minister has underlined that these two issues have been accorded priority under all new urban development initiatives like Swachh Bharat Mission, Smart Cities, Infrastructure development in 500 citites, Heritage City Development etc.
M.Venkiah Naidu informed that 1,33,000 metric tonnes of municipal solid waste is being generated every day in Class-I and II cities out of which 32% is being littered. Of the total waste being collected, 72% (6,55,000 metric tonnes) is being landfilled. He further said that through proper collection and reuse and recycling of solid waste, 440 MW of power can be generated every year and consumption of chemical fertilizers can be reduced by 30% by using compost made out of solid waste from urban areas. Further elaborating on the ‘cash value of trash’, Shri Naidu said that Refused Derived Fuel is another potential solution for treatment of solid waste which is comparable to coal in terms of costs and calorific value.
Stating that about 38,500 million litres of sewage is being generated per day by Class-I and II cities, Shri Naidu said effective recycling of it would help in irrigating about one to three lakh hectares depending on the crop. He expressed concern over discharge of about 61% of sewage without being treated. Welcoming trade and industrial bodies like ASSOCHAM organizing seminars and conferences on urban challenges, Shri Naidu urged them and their members to ‘walk the talk’ by effectively partnering in initiatives like Swachh Bharat Mission, Municipal Waste Management, Housing for All and urban infrastructure development by making a success of PPP model.