Delhi Gears Up for Cleaner Streets with ₹610 Crore Waste Management Project

The Delhi government has approved a significant project worth ₹610.27 crore for the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) aimed at modernizing waste management practices across the capital. This initiative focuses on mechanised sweeping, enhanced construction and demolition (C&D) waste management, and the introduction of battery-operated litter pickers.

Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa stated that the Environment Department greenlit the project on Monday, under the leadership of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, to combat dust pollution and improve overall sanitation in Delhi.

A key component of the plan involves upgrading 106 primary C&D waste collection centers. These centers will be modernized with barricading, CCTV surveillance, water sprinklers, air quality sensors, and information boards to effectively minimize dust emissions.

The approved funds will also facilitate the procurement of mechanical road sweeping machines and the deployment of battery-operated litter picker vehicles. The aim is to enhance waste management efficiency, particularly in market areas and narrow lanes that are often difficult to access with larger vehicles.

In related news, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced plans to install compactors and solid waste disposal machines throughout the city. The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) and the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) will provide land for installing high-capacity compactors in various locations. The government will initially install modern waste processing machines across all Assembly constituencies, with plans to expand to individual wards later.

Gupta has also directed officials to conduct daily field visits to monitor the implementation of cleanliness measures. Furthermore, she instructed the immediate installation of dustbins across the city, with damaged or broken ones to be replaced promptly. Chief Secretary Rajeev Verma has been tasked with forming a special committee comprising officials from relevant departments to oversee road construction projects, ensuring an integrated approach to minimize road cutting and improve the durability of road infrastructure.

The MCD has also secured a loan of ₹615 crore for mechanised sweeping of roads measuring 30-60 feet in width. The corporation plans to procure 60 mechanical road sweepers with a 10-year maintenance plan under an outsourcing model. While the mechanised sweeping will occur once a week in each area, the 52,000-strong sanitation workforce will continue regular cleaning operations on other days. The MCD also intends to install more litter bins.

The MCD manages approximately 12,700 km of roads less than 60 feet wide and is responsible for the routine cleaning of 1,400 km of Public Works Department (PWD) roads wider than 60 feet. Currently, 52 mechanical road sweepers are deployed on these roads, with staff working in shifts and their movements tracked online.

The Delhi government has requested that the MCD submit a detailed utilisation plan before further funds are released. Urban Development Minister Ashish Sood stated that ₹175 crore has already been released as the first installment to clear pending dues and procure sanitation machinery and has asked MCD to submit a detailed plan.

These initiatives are expected to significantly improve Delhi's waste management infrastructure, reduce pollution, and enhance the overall quality of life for its residents.