State clears DPRs for 61 major cities

The Maharashtra government on Tuesday cleared detailed project reports (DPR) for 61 major cities in the state, including those in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, like Ulhasnagar, Thane, and Kalyan, as well as others like Nanded, Parbhani, and Jhalna.

Senior government officials said that under the new DPRs, the government aims to achieve 100% scientific management of solid waste, including segregation of wet and dry waste. “We have made it mandatory for these cities to process 100% of their waste scientifically. Failing to do so will invite penalties,” said a senior officer of the state Urban Development Department (UDD), Maharashtra government. Another senior official said, “We have received a request from the housing and urban affairs ministry, asking for a detailed action plan for cities in the state with more than one lakh population and ensuring they do 100% waste management.”

This comes in the wake of the Centre raising concerns regarding the state’s poor record in waste processing. According to the data provided by the Union government in Parliament, only 35% of Maharashtra’s waste was found to be processed scientifically. While the national figure was just 24%, the state produces 22,570 tonnes of waste per day, the highest in the country, and has also not utilised all funds allocated to it.

The Swachh Bharat Mission provides funds for up to 35% of the costs of waste management and related activities taken up under the mission, and the rest must be arranged by states and urban local bodies.