Ward 34 is considered to be one of the showcase colonies of Gurugram. It is bounded by M.G Road and Golf Course Road and has high visibility. It houses residents from all around the world who take pride in being part of Gurugram.
Carbon Print reduction - Waste Segregation and Disposal
Residents as conscious citizens have embraced modern social and scientific practices to help improve environment and reduce carbon print. As part of this effort they have wholeheartedly adopted waste segregation and its disposal. However, Residents regretfully note this effort of theirs is not bearing fruit. While households are segregating waste at their level, transportation of waste is a creating a serious bottleneck in this effort.
Contract for Waste Disposal
As you are aware these Rules were framed in 2016. In 2017 contract for collection, segregation, transportation and disposal of waste was awarded to a firm called M/s Ecogreen. This contract is based on a tipping-fees model. Sadly, to say, implementation of this important initiative by Ecogreen is completely lacking in effort. The purpose for which the Waste Management Rules were framed has been side-tracked. Ecogreen’s model envisages only collection and dumping, it does not address the very key components of segregation, transportation, and processing of waste. Upon enquiry by the Residents excuses are pedaled out by the contractor.
Transportation of Waste
It’s been 4 years since this law was framed, yet the Contractor has not even bothered to deploy methods of segregation at the collection/transportation level. Collected waste is transported on rickshaws. These vehicles do not provide for separate compartments for segregated waste. Thus the purpose of the effort is completely lost. This unsegregated waste lands up in landfills and the Nathupur Khatta (secondary collection point) where the conditions are unhygienic both for humans and also for the animals/cattle. A peep from the balconies of expensive apartments and plush offices tells its own tale.
Decentralized Infrastructure for processing waste
Another key aspect of the effort to improve environment is to treat waste at a decentralized level. Infrastructure needs to be created in the ward for composting and processing of waste. This has not been done despite residents efforts. It is possible to segregate waste at the source with real time data. This was proven to the MCG by some entrepreneurs when it was tried within this ward and has been continuing albeit in a small area. This initiative can be implemented and the environment made more livable . As a first step land needs to be demarcated and made available to the residents for setting up waste processing and compost plants. Residents have approached the MCG and the Councilor for allocation of land within the ward area. Unfortunately, despite regular follow up and efforts of residents, no progress has been made. Our Councilor is a proactive lady and is very sympathetic to her wards’ problems. We hope she will heed our requests in this regard.
In Conclusion
Before ending Residents would like to bring to all concerned authorities’ attention some serious downsides and compliance related issues that must be addressed both at the level of the contractor and also the authorities for this initiative to succeed:
At the level of the Contractor
Irregular waste collection with no intimation forces many residents to throw their garbage outside their residences.
Overloaded and uncovered vehicles/rickshaws are being used, leading to accidents and spillage on the way.
More importantly, transportation vehicles do not have segregated boxes for collection and non- motorized vehicles being used.
Working conditions of the employees are unhygienic and poor. Laws relating to employment of labour and its welfare are not being followed.
Monthly user fees is being collected without providing a receipt.
At the level of Authorities
Address the issue of waste processing and resource recovery –which presently is not happening.
This rampant degradation of Environmental and release of greenhouse gases at Khushbu Chowk and Bandhwari and with leachate percolating in ground water must be stopped.
Let’s sign this petition and request the authorities to help us by allocating a decentralized resource recovery model in Ward 34 and assign the waste collection and processing to a professionally managed organization which is 100% compliant with SWM 2016 rules.
HELP US BUILD A GREEN, SAFE, AND CLEAN ENVIRONMENT!!!
