Around 15percent of waste is being segregated at various levels

Vijay Balamwar, Deputy Municipal Commissioner, Solid Waste Management, Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM), outlines the various initiatives of the civic body for tackling urban waste.

What is the effective percentage of wastewater and solid waste in Mumbai city that is treated before being discharged into the sea? Could you share data on the sheer volume of waste that is handled daily? Of this, how much is treated before discharge into the sea?
The Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) receives approx 9,000 tonnes of municipal waste on a daily basis at three locations, namely Deonar, Mulund and Kanjur. Approximately 3,000 tonnes of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) are being processed using Bio-Reactor Technology at the Kanjur processing and landfill site. Further, 1,000 tonnes will be processed using Windrow composting by the end of 2016.

What measures are being put into place to exploit the potential of waste/garbage towards the creation of wealth? What are the successful projects of garbage being used for electricity generation?
At Kanjur, we expect to generate 9 MW of electricity from the waste being processed using bioreactor technology. Currently, 400 kW of electricity is being generated. It is proposed to set up two waste-to-energy plants of 1,000 tonnes capacity per day at Deonar.

Decentralised waste processing plants of 5 to 25 tonne capacity are also planned to be set up using biogas/bio-methanisation or any other Central Pollution Control Board approved technology.

How has the waste segregation strategy worked so far? How is e-waste handled in Mumbai city?
Approximately 15 per cent of waste is being segregated at various levels. Separate collection and transportation of Municipal Solid Waste (mixed), dry waste, collection and demolition waste, tree cuttings and green waste is being carried out.

A dedicated agency has been appointed for setting up e-waste collection centres all over the city. The said agency is approved by MPCB. Currently one centre is in operation at Vile Parle, and 23 such centres are proposed in the near future. The service is to be availed by the general public for depositing their e-waste.

Please provide details of the targets being set by the civic body to ensure better wastewater and solid waste management.
We have set the following deadlines:

• 100 per cent house-to-house collection by March 2017
• 100 per cent segregation of waste by March 2017
• 100 per cent processing of waste by March 2020.

Kindly elaborate on the role of private participation in civic projects of water management and solid waste. Will the PPP model make for a successful strategy for the civic corporation?
Agencies are appointed for collection and transportation of MSW using the PPP model. The agencies are paid on per-service basis and the contract period is for five years. Further, agencies are also appointed for processing & disposal of MSW using the PPP model. The agencies are paid on per-tonne basis and the contract period is for 25 years.

What qualitative milestones have been set to improve service efficiencies in the sector of water and solid waste management in Mumbai?
As I said, we plan 100 per cent house-to-house collection by March 2017 and 100 per cent segregation of waste by March 2017. We also plan to address all civic complaints – that parameter is currently being achieved.

How is this strategy reconciled and to be assisted by the Development Plan 2034 of Mumbai city, that is currently under ratification? Does the DP plan have a special assistance and focus through land and funds allocation for this sector?
Plots have been identified at the ward and zonal levels for setting up decentralised waste segregation plants and waste processing plants (small size of 5 tonne to 25 tonne). The DP Plan is yet to be approved.

However, land has been identified outside Mumbai for setting up waste processing & disposal sites, to handle the incremental waste generation.

Any special focus areas that you would like to highlight?
The civic body is planning the 100 per cent elimination of community bins, and achieving 100 per cent house-to-house garbage collection is also being targeted. We expect to reach the same by end of 2016.