‘Centre will act fast to solve waste problem’

Prakash Javadekar, Union minister for environment and forests, has assured the Centre will expedite the process of issuing permissions to solve Mumbai’s garbage problem.

Mr Javadekar on Wednesday held a meeting of state government officials, the BMC chief and other stakeholders in the aftermath of the fire in the Deonar dumping ground. The waste management system issue was discussed in detail at the meeting.

According to the minister, the Ministry of Environment & Forests has taken a serious note of the fire at the Deonar dumping ground and subsequent cases of pollution and health hazard.

Out of three dumping grounds in Mumbai, the Mulund site will now be closed, for which tender will be issued in the next 15 days. As far as Deonar dumping ground is concerned, Tata Consultancy Services has been roped in to suggest an Integrated Waste Management System instead of taking up waste to energy, waste to compost projects on piecemeal basis. They will submit their report within one month, said Mr Javadekar.

The BMC has also been directed to carry out construction of waste disposal plan according to the new guidelines issued.