Latest news with #LucknowMunicipalCorporation
Time of India
11 hours ago
- General
- Time of India
Gomti clean-up drive creates awareness to protect environ
Lucknow: During the combined celebration of Ganga Dussehra, World Environment Day and 53rd birthday of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, an environmental awareness and river clean-up drive was organised by the Lucknow Municipal Corporation on Gomti river banks on Thursday, during which hyacinth and plastic waste were removed from the river. Addressing the event, urban development minister A K Sharma said, "We cannot remain safe by harming environment. Our culture teaches us that all five elements, earth, water, fire, air, and space, are sacred and if we pollute them, we only endanger ourselves." Environmental balance was crucial for human survival, added Sharma. The campaign began at 6am and covered the 8-km stretch from Gomti Barrage to Gulala Ghat. LMC divided the riverfront into eight clusters, each overseen by a senior municipal official. Teams removed water hyacinth, idol remnants, plastic and other waste from the river. The initiative included planting over 1,000 saplings of species including Rudraksha, banyan, mango and hibiscus along the riverfront. Sharma and Mayor Sushma Kharkwal participated by planting trees on Laxman Mela Ground. The event featured interactive activities like 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam', 'Plogging for Plastic', and 'Human Chain for Environment' to engage public participation. LMC commissioner Gaurav Kumar praised collaborative nature of the campaign, which united citizens, officials and volunteers. Kharkwal dedicated the campaign as a birthday gift to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, highlighting his commitment to environmental conservation and announced plans for similar clean-up drives on national leaders' anniversaries to maintain public involvement. She emphasised that cleanliness was collective responsibility and urged citizens to adopt eco-friendly habits for future generations.
Time of India
a day ago
- Business
- Time of India
Can construction waste plant truly combat pollution in Lucknow?
LUCKNOW : Lucknow Municipal Corporation 's construction and demolition (C&D) waste recycling plant in Harikansh Garhi, Mohanlalganj recycles nearly 150 tonnes of waste every day. On the eve of World Environment Day, TOI visited the facility to assess its on-ground impact and contribution to reducing pollution in the city. According to data, Lucknow generates approximately 250 to 300 tonnes of C&D waste daily. However, only 100 to 150 tonnes—primarily from small-scale construction and home renovation activities—are collected on a regular basis. The task of collecting and transporting this waste from designated pickup points falls to concessionaire Rise Eleven, which also operates the recycling plant. The plant has a processing capacity of 300 tonnes per day and utilises wet processing technology to segregate waste. It produces items such as interlocking pavers, concrete blocks, precast walls, and tree pots, which are either sold in the market or used in civic infrastructure projects. "This plant was set up with the future in mind and is equipped to meet the city's needs for the next 15 years," said Dr Arvind Rao, additional municipal commissioner. "However, cooperation from bulk waste generators is crucial to its success." Under the C&D waste management rules issued by the ministry of environment, forest and climate change, large construction sites are required to dispose of their waste at designated facilities and pay a processing fee. Despite this, officials acknowledge that enforcement remains weak. Unauthorised dumping—particularly along roadsides, empty plots, and drains—is still common, especially in rapidly developing areas. To combat this, the LMC has launched awareness campaigns and held seminars targeting both builders and residents. Still, officials admit that better enforcement and improved collection systems are key to addressing the problem. Environmentalists echo this concern. Vivek Singh, who runs an NGO focused on urban environmental issues, said, "This facility is a positive step, but it's not enough. In many parts of the city, especially on the outskirts, C&D waste is left unattended for months. It adds significantly to dust and air pollution. LMC must expand its collection network and reduce turnaround time." According to existing regulations, LMC and other govt departments are required to use 20–25% recycled material in construction projects. However, compliance data was not provided, raising questions about whether these targets are being met consistently. The site visit underscored that while the infrastructure is in place, there are still significant gaps in collection, monitoring, and policy enforcement. As the city marks World Environment Day, experts stress the need to shift the focus from infrastructure to implementation—ensuring that plans on paper translate into visible results on the ground.
Time of India
a day ago
- Business
- Time of India
Construction debris buries clean up act
Lucknow: Lucknow Municipal Corporation's construction and demolition (C&D) waste recycling plant in Harikansh Garhi, Mohanlalganj recycles nearly 150 tonnes of waste every day. On the eve of World Environment Day, TOI visited the facility to assess its on-ground impact and contribution to reducing pollution in the city. According to data, Lucknow generates approximately 250 to 300 tonnes of C&D waste daily. However, only 100 to 150 tonnes—primarily from small-scale construction and home renovation activities—are collected on a regular basis. The task of collecting and transporting this waste from designated pickup points falls to concessionaire Rise Eleven, which also operates the recycling plant. The plant has a processing capacity of 300 tonnes per day and utilises wet processing technology to segregate waste. It produces items such as interlocking pavers, concrete blocks, precast walls, and tree pots, which are either sold in the market or used in civic infrastructure projects. "This plant was set up with the future in mind and is equipped to meet the city's needs for the next 15 years," said Dr Arvind Rao, additional municipal commissioner. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Najnowszy szwajcarski aparat słuchowy – innowacja i dyskrecja GEERS Undo "However, cooperation from bulk waste generators is crucial to its success." Under the C&D waste management rules issued by the ministry of environment, forest and climate change, large construction sites are required to dispose of their waste at designated facilities and pay a processing fee. Despite this, officials acknowledge that enforcement remains weak. Unauthorised dumping—particularly along roadsides, empty plots, and drains—is still common, especially in rapidly developing areas. To combat this, the LMC has launched awareness campaigns and held seminars targeting both builders and residents. Still, officials admit that better enforcement and improved collection systems are key to addressing the problem. Environmentalists echo this concern. Vivek Singh, who runs an NGO focused on urban environmental issues, said, "This facility is a positive step, but it's not enough. In many parts of the city, especially on the outskirts, C&D waste is left unattended for months. It adds significantly to dust and air pollution. LMC must expand its collection network and reduce turnaround time." According to existing regulations, LMC and other govt departments are required to use 20–25% recycled material in construction projects. However, compliance data was not provided, raising questions about whether these targets are being met consistently. The site visit underscored that while the infrastructure is in place, there are still significant gaps in collection, monitoring, and policy enforcement. As the city marks World Environment Day, experts stress the need to shift the focus from infrastructure to implementation—ensuring that plans on paper translate into visible results on the ground.
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Plastic ban falls flat at bhandara events
Days before the World Environment Day on June 5, the city displayed a flagrant disregard for environmental rules with the rampant use of single-use plastic items by the hundreds of bhandara organisers on Tuesday. Based on the figures provided by the waste collection agencies, it is safe to assume that the city generated several tonnes of banned plastic in just a day. Despite Lucknow Municipal Corporation's (LMC's) efforts to promote eco-friendly practices during the ongoing Bada Mangal festivities, the overt use of plastic cutlery also showcased the authorities' inefficiency in implementing the rules, a major part of which is also because of their easy availability. On Tuesday alone, the agencies collected 120 metric tons of surplus waste from 293 registered bhandara events. While the agencies only had the data for this Tuesday, they said a similar amount of waste must have been generated on the last four Bada Mangal days as well. As many as 314 and 376 organisers had registered their events during the festivities held on May 27 and 20, respectively. The nationwide ban on plastic plates, cups, and other cutlery, which remain commonplace at many bhandara events and lead to streets being littered with non-biodegradable waste, has been in effect since July 2022. These reporters visited multiple bhandara events organised in the city on the day and witnessed several lacunas in enforcement. Most organisers continued to use the prohibited plastic items, undermining LMC's 'zero-waste' objectives. While several were found to be using paper plates and bowls to serve food, they served water and juices in plastic cups. Even spoons and bottles offered to devotees were made of plastic. The lack of affordable eco-friendly alternatives was a major reason for this blatant violation, they said. Despite dustbins installed at many places, devotees were seen littering the streets. 'Plastic cups cost only half as much as their eco-friendly counterparts. It is not affordable for everyone to buy paper cups in thousands,' said Satish Mishra, who had set up a stall at Vibhuti Khand. 'We buy plastic items because they are easily available in the market. If the administration wants to ban them, it should then first ban their production and sale,' said Dinkar Soni, the organiser of a bhandara near Bhootnath market. Meanwhile, LMC has already notified all bhandara organisers to mandatorily register their events and adhere to zero-waste protocols. These protocols include the installation of separate bins for biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste. However, hardly any location was equipped with such separate dustbins. Surplus garbage Abhay Ranjan, the regional head of a private firm handling waste collection in five city zones, said garbage generation shot up by 100 MT on the days when bhandara events were organised. 'We usually collect 1,400 MT of waste daily. On Tuesdays, this rises to 1,500 metric tons due to bhandara and associated activities,' he noted. Another company managing waste collection in the other three zones reported the collection of a surplus 15–20 MT of waste on Tuesday. 'Fortunately, several shops remained shut, making waste collection slightly easier,' one of its officials added. 'People who don't inform us [about the events] are either managing waste on their own or dumping them on the roads. Our vehicles collect them later,' said an LMC official. 40% events unregistered As many as 293 bhandara events were organised on Tuesday, as per official figures. LMC, which only issued an advisory requesting the public to refrain from using single-use plastic on Tuesday after four Bada Mangal days, was yet to launch any enforcement drive to check the use of plastic at these events. Officials admitted that nearly 40% of bhandara events being organised were unregistered. The registrations were mandated to improve waste collection and management. LMC environmental engineer Sanjeev Pradhan said: 'No special enforcement drive has been carried out during bhandara programmes. We haven't issued any fines for the violations.' Pradhan added LMC collected around ₹17 lakh in fines during anti-plastic drives carried out in several zones in this financial year, so far. LMC chief Gaurav Kumar acknowledged the lapses and said: 'I've instructed all eight zonal incharges to inform bhandara organisers not to use plastic, and to submit a compliance report by the evening.'
Time of India
26-05-2025
- Time of India
Drive to check cattle menace held across city
Lucknow: The teams of Lucknow Municipal Corporation (LMC) initiated action against illegal dairies and encroachment, following a TOI report on cattle menace published on Monday. The drive was carried out in many areas, mainly along G-20 Road near Janeshwar Mishra Park in the Gomti Nagar Extension area. The drive led to the seizure of 16 buffaloes and 1 cow, which were sent to the municipal animal shelter (Kanji House) in Thakurganj. The animals will only be released after fines are paid, and the action is expected to bring in around Rs 3,25,000 in penalties. According to LMC officials, several complaints were received about unauthorized dairies and encroachment in the area. Dr Abhinav Verma, Animal Welfare Officer, said, "We received several complaints from residents about stray animals affecting both traffic and public health. Following these complaints and media reports, we initiated strict action to enforce municipal regulations. We remain committed to keeping the city clean and safe." More intensive drives will be launched to catch stray cattle and remove animals left roaming on roads or kept in illegal dairies, he added. LMC officials clarified that operating a dairy within city limits without a licence is illegal. A maximum of two cows may be kept, but with permission, but buffaloes are not allowed under the Municipal Corporation Act, 1959, due to pollution concerns. Lucknow: The teams of Lucknow Municipal Corporation (LMC) initiated action against illegal dairies and encroachment, following a TOI report on cattle menace published on Monday. The drive was carried out in many areas, mainly along G-20 Road near Janeshwar Mishra Park in the Gomti Nagar Extension area. The drive led to the seizure of 16 buffaloes and 1 cow, which were sent to the municipal animal shelter (Kanji House) in Thakurganj. The animals will only be released after fines are paid, and the action is expected to bring in around Rs 3,25,000 in penalties. According to LMC officials, several complaints were received about unauthorized dairies and encroachment in the area. Dr Abhinav Verma, Animal Welfare Officer, said, "We received several complaints from residents about stray animals affecting both traffic and public health. Following these complaints and media reports, we initiated strict action to enforce municipal regulations. We remain committed to keeping the city clean and safe." More intensive drives will be launched to catch stray cattle and remove animals left roaming on roads or kept in illegal dairies, he added. LMC officials clarified that operating a dairy within city limits without a licence is illegal. A maximum of two cows may be kept, but with permission, but buffaloes are not allowed under the Municipal Corporation Act, 1959, due to pollution concerns.
