Latest news with #NamamiBansal
Time of India
19-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Dehradun civic body to roll out rebate-linked waste policy: Commissioner
Dehradun municipal commissioner Namami Bansal, in an interview with TOI's Tanmayee Tyagi, acknowledged that improvements are needed in the civic body's handling of door-to-door waste collection and source segregation. Once the cleanest city in Uttarakhand, Dehradun's ranking in the recently released Swachh Survekshan (SS) 2024 results slipped to 13th position statewide. It improved slightly in national rankings, from 68th to 62nd in the big city category, but its door-to-door waste collection dropped drastically from 96.5% to 48%, and waste processing fell from 78.5% to 27%. In order to combat this issue, Bansal on Saturday said a source segregation policy will be introduced soon, which will offer rebates in user charges so that the more a resident segregates their waste, the more rebate they will receive. Q: Even though there was a slight improvement in Doon's national ranking, the parameters are not very encouraging. What are the key takeaways from the current scores? The numbers are very clear. We need to make significant improvements in our door-to-door waste collection and source segregation. This time, we lost out on the garbage-free city and legacy waste criteria, but since the inspections for SS 2024, regular processing has been carried out at both our legacy waste sites. We've already made significant progress on that front. Since the corporation's takeover of door-to-door waste management, we've increased garbage collection to over 80%. We have our work cut out for us, and we're steadily taking steps to fix the situation. Q: What does Dehradun's fall in ranking within the state signify? It's important to understand that this comparison is not absolute. Changes in markings and indicative parameters mean that a comparison with previous years doesn't tell the whole story. Similarly, an absolute city-wise ranking is also not a fair comparison. A cantonment board or a municipality doesn't have the same indicators as a municipal corporation. A smaller city with less population has different challenges compared to a larger one, especially the state capital. Even the marking parameters are different. Also, unfortunately, when the inspections were happening in Dehradun, sanitation workers were on strike due to non-payment of wages. This irregularity was the primary reason why the corporation stepped in. Since we took over, we've managed to avoid such scenarios, and door-to-door collection has actually improved. If we're able to implement our plans, next year's Survekshan scores will reflect our efforts. Q: The need for source segregation has been an old one. Even the corporation has been saying so. How is DMC planning to achieve this? We are bringing in a specific source segregation policy and will introduce it soon. To encourage more people to carry out segregation, we'll offer rebates in user charges. The more you segregate your waste at the doorstep, the more rebate you'll receive. There's a need for massive public sensitisation on this front. If only 10% of people segregate their waste, it doesn't help the system, it all ends up mixed. But if everyone does it, we can actually build an effective waste management system with better processing at our collection centres. We'll also strengthen our challaning and enforcement to ensure compliance. Q: What else can be done to strengthen Doon's overall waste management? We're planning a decentralised approach to waste management. The compactors at Kargi were installed with this in mind. We're also working to enhance capacity so that the Harrawala model can be replicated in other wards. We already have some solutions, we just need to implement them. The idea of licensing commercial establishments is also part of this. Once we have a count of licensed bulk waste generators, we can track the waste they generate, how it's being disposed of, and take action on any non-compliance. For transparency, we're involving self-help groups in collecting user charges. We're on the right track, and stabilising Doon's waste management is a top priority for the corporation. Dehradun municipal commissioner Namami Bansal, in an interview with TOI's Tanmayee Tyagi, acknowledged that improvements are needed in the civic body's handling of door-to-door waste collection and source segregation. Once the cleanest city in Uttarakhand, Dehradun's ranking in the recently released Swachh Survekshan (SS) 2024 results slipped to 13th position statewide. It improved slightly in national rankings, from 68th to 62nd in the big city category, but its door-to-door waste collection dropped drastically from 96.5% to 48%, and waste processing fell from 78.5% to 27%. In order to combat this issue, Bansal on Saturday said a source segregation policy will be introduced soon, which will offer rebates in user charges so that the more a resident segregates their waste, the more rebate they will receive. Q: Even though there was a slight improvement in Doon's national ranking, the parameters are not very encouraging. What are the key takeaways from the current scores? The numbers are very clear. We need to make significant improvements in our door-to-door waste collection and source segregation. This time, we lost out on the garbage-free city and legacy waste criteria, but since the inspections for SS 2024, regular processing has been carried out at both our legacy waste sites. We've already made significant progress on that front. Since the corporation's takeover of door-to-door waste management, we've increased garbage collection to over 80%. We have our work cut out for us, and we're steadily taking steps to fix the situation. Q: What does Dehradun's fall in ranking within the state signify? It's important to understand that this comparison is not absolute. Changes in markings and indicative parameters mean that a comparison with previous years doesn't tell the whole story. Similarly, an absolute city-wise ranking is also not a fair comparison. A cantonment board or a municipality doesn't have the same indicators as a municipal corporation. A smaller city with less population has different challenges compared to a larger one, especially the state capital. Even the marking parameters are different. Also, unfortunately, when the inspections were happening in Dehradun, sanitation workers were on strike due to non-payment of wages. This irregularity was the primary reason why the corporation stepped in. Since we took over, we've managed to avoid such scenarios, and door-to-door collection has actually improved. If we're able to implement our plans, next year's Survekshan scores will reflect our efforts. Q: The need for source segregation has been an old one. Even the corporation has been saying so. How is DMC planning to achieve this? We are bringing in a specific source segregation policy and will introduce it soon. To encourage more people to carry out segregation, we'll offer rebates in user charges. The more you segregate your waste at the doorstep, the more rebate you'll receive. There's a need for massive public sensitisation on this front. If only 10% of people segregate their waste, it doesn't help the system, it all ends up mixed. But if everyone does it, we can actually build an effective waste management system with better processing at our collection centres. We'll also strengthen our challaning and enforcement to ensure compliance. Q: What else can be done to strengthen Doon's overall waste management? We're planning a decentralised approach to waste management. The compactors at Kargi were installed with this in mind. We're also working to enhance capacity so that the Harrawala model can be replicated in other wards. We already have some solutions, we just need to implement them. The idea of licensing commercial establishments is also part of this. Once we have a count of licensed bulk waste generators, we can track the waste they generate, how it's being disposed of, and take action on any non-compliance. For transparency, we're involving self-help groups in collecting user charges. We're on the right track, and stabilising Doon's waste management is a top priority for the corporation.
Time of India
15-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
DMC sets up command centre to integrate doorstep waste collection
Dehradun: To strengthen door-to-door garbage collection and streamline waste management in Uttarakhand's capital city, Dehradun Municipal Corporation (DMC) is setting up an integrated command and control centre (ICCC), based on the Indore model, to closely monitor the process and track garbage movement to processing plants. Officials said final logistics are being put in place and the ICCC will become operational this week. It will be managed by DMC and can eventually be used for dengue monitoring, fogging, as well as monitoring waterlogging and flooding during monsoon, officials said. "So far, the project monitoring companies have been separately tracking their own sections and movement of waste collection vehicles in their respective areas. Legacy sites and waste processing have also been monitored separately. With the ICCC, we hope to bring all of this under one roof and integrate door-to-door waste collection, transport to processing plants or even source segregation, which is going to be our next focus," said municipal commissioner Namami Bansal, adding that software support was outsourced and is the same as that of Indore. "This tech-based model will ensure real-time monitoring and no manipulation of data by any third party. Our vehicles are supposed to be on their way by 7am. And by 9am, we will know what routes are not being covered or where more manpower is required, and corrective steps can be taken to ensure the public is not inconvenienced," Bansal said. Notably, Dehradun produces upwards of 450 tonnes of garbage daily and has not performed well in Swachh Survekshan rankings in the past. Officials said these changes hope to rectify that and will also address the problem of erratic waste collection in the city. In certain areas such as Mohkampur, Dharampur, Doon Vihar and Kishanpur, garbage collection remains irregular. Third-party companies have also gone on frequent strikes, following which DMC took over the door-to-door waste collection in Feb this year. Since then, the corporation has increased the number of collection vehicles to over 250, with CUG numbers issued to drivers for better coordination with residents. Officials also claim that waste collection has risen to 80% from 46% earlier since the takeover, while the aim is 100% waste collection from households and all public places.
Time of India
24-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
Garbage collection vehicles in Doon now just a call away
Dehradun: In a bid to improve waste management across the city, the Dehradun Municipal Corporation (DMC) has issued CUG (closed user group) phone numbers to its garbage vehicle drivers, allowing residents and ward councillors to coordinate with them more effectively. Dehradun currently generates over 450 metric tonnes of waste every day. On Tuesday, the DMC distributed CUG phones to 40 drivers across 25 wards. The phone numbers will also be displayed on the vehicles, making it easier for residents to contact the staff. According to officials, this initiative aims to reduce delays, improve accountability and ensure waste is collected reliably. In the past, irregular garbage collection often forced residents to dispose of waste in public spaces. By making contact details available, the DMC hopes to reduce littering, address grievances promptly, and further strengthen its waste management system. This is the first phase of the initiative, with more numbers to be allocated soon, officials said. The initiative comes after DMC took over door-to-door waste collection in Feb this year, following the failure of multiple private agencies to streamline the process. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo Since then, the corporation claimed that waste collection has risen from 46% to 80% across the city, and the number of garbage collection vehicles has increased to 234, with an additional 50 to be introduced soon, said commissioner Namami Bansal. You Can Also Check: Dehradun AQI | Weather in Dehradun | Bank Holidays in Dehradun | Public Holidays in Dehradun Bansal said that starting July 1, the DMC will roll out a comprehensive overhaul of its waste management system. "The goal is to build an integrated system entirely managed by the civic body — reducing dependency on third-party vendors, cutting costs and making waste collection more efficient," she added. Dehradun: In a bid to improve waste management across the city, the Dehradun Municipal Corporation (DMC) has issued CUG (closed user group) phone numbers to its garbage vehicle drivers, allowing residents and ward councillors to coordinate with them more effectively. Dehradun currently generates over 450 metric tonnes of waste every day. On Tuesday, the DMC distributed CUG phones to 40 drivers across 25 wards. The phone numbers will also be displayed on the vehicles, making it easier for residents to contact the staff. According to officials, this initiative aims to reduce delays, improve accountability and ensure waste is collected reliably. In the past, irregular garbage collection often forced residents to dispose of waste in public spaces. By making contact details available, the DMC hopes to reduce littering, address grievances promptly, and further strengthen its waste management system. This is the first phase of the initiative, with more numbers to be allocated soon, officials said. The initiative comes after DMC took over door-to-door waste collection in Feb this year, following the failure of multiple private agencies to streamline the process. Since then, the corporation claimed that waste collection has risen from 46% to 80% across the city, and the number of garbage collection vehicles has increased to 234, with an additional 50 to be introduced soon, said commissioner Namami Bansal. Bansal said that starting July 1, the DMC will roll out a comprehensive overhaul of its waste management system. "The goal is to build an integrated system entirely managed by the civic body — reducing dependency on third-party vendors, cutting costs and making waste collection more efficient," she added.
