Bombay High Court Committee Arrives in Lucknow to Study Solid Waste Management Systems
A high-level monitoring committee, constituted by the Bombay High Court to evaluate solid waste management systems, arrived in Lucknow on Thursday. This visit follows a directive from the High Court, which is hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) and ordered officials from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation to travel to Lucknow. Their mission is to study the disposal of waste mounds and submit a detailed report on the findings.
Composition of the Expert Committee
The committee comprises a diverse group of professionals, including retired and serving Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers, scientists, faculty members from the Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT), and waste management experts. This multidisciplinary team is tasked with conducting a thorough assessment of waste handling practices.
Detailed Briefing at Smart City Office
At the Smart City office located in Lalbagh, officials from the Lucknow Municipal Corporation (LMC) provided a comprehensive briefing to the committee. The presentation covered various aspects of sanitation and waste management, such as:
- Door-to-door collection of waste
- GPS-based tracking of waste collection vehicles
- Operations at transfer stations and material recovery facilities
- Biomining techniques for legacy waste disposal
- Processing units for fresh waste
- Plants handling construction and demolition waste
Kumar, an LMC official, explained that waste collection and disposal have been significantly strengthened in phases through the integration of technology. A Command and Control Centre has been established to monitor operations in real-time and address public complaints efficiently.
Progress Highlights and Future Inspections
The presentation detailed notable progress in several areas, including the disposal of legacy waste, processing of fresh waste, street cleaning initiatives, and utilization of plastic waste. The committee is scheduled to inspect the Shivri solid waste processing plant on Friday to gain firsthand insights into these operations.
Kharkwal, another LMC representative, noted that this visit reflects a recognition of Lucknow's efforts in waste management. Committee chairman, retired IAS officer Umakant Dangat, emphasized that members will conduct detailed site inspections to study collection, transport, and processing systems comprehensively.
This initiative underscores the importance of cross-city learning and the adoption of best practices in urban waste management, as directed by judicial oversight to address environmental and public health concerns.
