<p>Hubballi: The progress achieved in waste segregation at source remained at 70% even after taking up the comprehensive solid waste management (SWM) project more than five years ago. Proper waste treatment and keeping the twin-city clean still remained a herculean task though more auto-tippers were pressed into service, compactor stations were installed and awareness activities were taken up on a massive scale. The solid waste management (SWM) Rules 2016 emphasises source segregation of waste, and there is a provision to impose penalty for violation. But the Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC) could not achieve 100% progress in segregation of waste at source till today.</p><p>Thus, new commissioner of the HDMC Rudresh S Ghali, has made SWM his priority and set six months as the duration to achieve total source waste segregation. For this, he his planning for an intensive awareness and involvement methods also taking the help of NGOs. Though, SWM has been a most complicated and ever-evolving issue for any growing civic body, he said, he has taken it as a challenge. </p><p>In a free-wheel interview with DH, Ghali revealed his wish to make source waste segregation total in six months, before which making all five compactor stations should be made fully functional, so that garbage does not go to dumping yard directly before getting segregated at compactor stations. Even some cleaning workers allegedly mixing segregated waste while carrying is said to be a the cause for direct shifting to the yard affecting the proper functioning of some compactor stations.</p><p>“SWM is my priority. Through training, involvement of NGOs and other initiatives, I aim to achieve 100 segregation of waste at source in the twin cities in about next six months. For that, five compactor stations have be made fully functional, so that only bailed wet and dry waste reach the dumping yard,” Ghali said.</p><p>Once we get all segregated waste, all the wet waste becomes manure, and dry waste is converted into refuse derived fuel (RDF). Cleaning workers will also be trained. No waste should go unprocesed, he added.</p><p><strong>UGD network</strong></p><p>Admitting that the undergound drainage (UGD) network has several missng links due to which sewage water is joining stormwater drain and sewage treatment plants are not getting sufficient sewage, Ghali said that plan is to identify all missing links and send a proposal to the government for having a properly connected UGD network for the entire twin cties.</p><p>“We will hire an agency to conduct that survey accurately,” he added.</p><p>Regarding pending water charges crossing Rs 175 core, he expressed reservations about one-time settlement (OTS) scheme, and said measures would be taken to collect the dues first by issuing notices to large-scale defaulters to the tune of Rs 50 lakh and above. GIS survey will increase the HDMC’s property tax revenue, he added.</p><p><strong>Stall allocation</strong></p><p>Bringing some respite for street vendors who are awaiting space in the newly-constructed Janata Bazaar building, the HDMC commissioner stated that 127 kattas (platforms) would be allotted to old street vendors in 15 days.</p><p>Remaining stalls, fish market and stalls at other municipal properties would be auctioned, for which tender is being prepared. Details of leased properties are ready, and a decision about them would be taken soon, Ghali added.</p>
<p>Hubballi: The progress achieved in waste segregation at source remained at 70% even after taking up the comprehensive solid waste management (SWM) project more than five years ago. Proper waste treatment and keeping the twin-city clean still remained a herculean task though more auto-tippers were pressed into service, compactor stations were installed and awareness activities were taken up on a massive scale. The solid waste management (SWM) Rules 2016 emphasises source segregation of waste, and there is a provision to impose penalty for violation. But the Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC) could not achieve 100% progress in segregation of waste at source till today.</p><p>Thus, new commissioner of the HDMC Rudresh S Ghali, has made SWM his priority and set six months as the duration to achieve total source waste segregation. For this, he his planning for an intensive awareness and involvement methods also taking the help of NGOs. Though, SWM has been a most complicated and ever-evolving issue for any growing civic body, he said, he has taken it as a challenge. </p><p>In a free-wheel interview with DH, Ghali revealed his wish to make source waste segregation total in six months, before which making all five compactor stations should be made fully functional, so that garbage does not go to dumping yard directly before getting segregated at compactor stations. Even some cleaning workers allegedly mixing segregated waste while carrying is said to be a the cause for direct shifting to the yard affecting the proper functioning of some compactor stations.</p><p>“SWM is my priority. Through training, involvement of NGOs and other initiatives, I aim to achieve 100 segregation of waste at source in the twin cities in about next six months. For that, five compactor stations have be made fully functional, so that only bailed wet and dry waste reach the dumping yard,” Ghali said.</p><p>Once we get all segregated waste, all the wet waste becomes manure, and dry waste is converted into refuse derived fuel (RDF). Cleaning workers will also be trained. No waste should go unprocesed, he added.</p><p><strong>UGD network</strong></p><p>Admitting that the undergound drainage (UGD) network has several missng links due to which sewage water is joining stormwater drain and sewage treatment plants are not getting sufficient sewage, Ghali said that plan is to identify all missing links and send a proposal to the government for having a properly connected UGD network for the entire twin cties.</p><p>“We will hire an agency to conduct that survey accurately,” he added.</p><p>Regarding pending water charges crossing Rs 175 core, he expressed reservations about one-time settlement (OTS) scheme, and said measures would be taken to collect the dues first by issuing notices to large-scale defaulters to the tune of Rs 50 lakh and above. GIS survey will increase the HDMC’s property tax revenue, he added.</p><p><strong>Stall allocation</strong></p><p>Bringing some respite for street vendors who are awaiting space in the newly-constructed Janata Bazaar building, the HDMC commissioner stated that 127 kattas (platforms) would be allotted to old street vendors in 15 days.</p><p>Remaining stalls, fish market and stalls at other municipal properties would be auctioned, for which tender is being prepared. Details of leased properties are ready, and a decision about them would be taken soon, Ghali added.</p>