Latest news with #SWM
Mint
a day ago
- Mint
Garbage piles up in Gurugram after mass exodus of workers: ‘A collapse years in making'
Gurugram's waste management system is nearing collapse after a mass exodus of domestic and sanitation workers, allegedly driven by a police verification and detention drive targeting suspected illegal immigrants. With hundreds of informal workers fleeing the city in recent days, the fallout has been swift: door-to-door waste collection has halted across several sectors, streets are overflowing with unsegregated garbage, and housing societies are scrambling to manage trash with ad hoc arrangements. The panic is palpable, with residents and activists attributing the mass exodus to a wave of detentions reportedly targeting Bengali-speaking informal workers. From Sectors 103 and 57 to Palam Vihar, Golf Course Extension Road, and Gurugram-Faridabad Road, mounds of waste line the streets, raising fears of a looming public health emergency. Civic volunteers and residents say the absence of trained sanitation staff has left them no option but to hire tractor-trolleys for waste disposal - often leading to indiscriminate dumping without segregation. 'They didn't even inform us. Many just vanished overnight out of fear,' Richa Vohra, a waste volunteer from Sector 57 told HT. Between July 13 and 21, at least 100 individuals - many employed as house helps or garbage collectors - were allegedly detained by police. According to residents, five were later released after reportedly being told to board trains to Assam. The status of the others remains unclear. Families say most of those detained are Indian citizens, some of whom have lived in Gurugram for over five years. 'They were not even allowed to go home and fetch their Aadhaar cards. The police just dragged them into vans,' a relative of 45-year-old garbage collector Anwar Hussain was quoted as saying by HT. Activists and experts argue the situation is a direct result of systemic negligence by the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG). 'Gurgaon's waste services have catastrophically failed,' said Ruchika Sethi Takkar, founder of Citizens for Clean Air. 'MCG's disregard for SWM Rules 2016 and failure to institutionalise waste workers has brought the system to its knees.' Takkar said citizen groups have already submitted a representation to MCG and the deputy commissioner, demanding an emergency contingency plan that includes temporary dry waste depots, immediate public communication, and interim collection arrangements. 'This is not a sudden crisis,' said waste management expert Kusum Sharma. 'This is a collapse years in the making. Had MCG followed SWM norms—created dry waste centres, enforced source segregation, and integrated informal workers—this situation could have been averted. Now, the city is entirely dependent on a workforce that is being criminalised.' While citizens struggle to bridge the gap, officials have remained largely silent until now. MCG Commissioner Pradeep Dahiya admitted the city's operations had been hit hard. 'Most of the drivers and waste collectors are migratory workers, and their going away will affect our operations. We're working with senior officials and the chief minister to find alternatives and minimise disruption,' he said. But activists say the crisis extends beyond civic breakdown. 'This isn't just about garbage,' said Takkar. 'It's about the collapse of the invisible economy that keeps the city running. Without a humanitarian plan, the infrastructure will collapse.' In Palam Vihar and other sectors, residents report migrants approaching them for help, fearing harassment despite having valid documentation. 'They're being targeted for their identity,' said one resident. 'Even those with ration cards and Aadhaar are being treated like criminals. This is inhuman.' Rahul Khera, a Sector 54 resident and social sector expert, noted that although four new private agencies have been hired by the MCG, 'regardless of who's collecting the waste, it's migrant labour doing the job. They make up 100% of the city's frontline waste workforce. If they leave, this city will shut down.' He stressed the need for reforms but condemned the current approach. 'Even immigrants with valid documentation are afraid. This isn't governance—it's fear mongering.' Deputy Commissioner of Police (Headquarters) Dr Arpit Jain said the verification drive was being conducted per Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) guidelines, with a focus on suspected illegal immigrants from Bangladesh. 'Details of any suspect are sent to the home secretary, district magistrate, or deputy commissioner of the concerned state for verification. If the report is negative, we initiate deportation proceedings with help from the central government, after placing the individual in a holding area. If the report confirms Indian citizenship, the person is released,' Jain said. He confirmed that even those with Aadhaar and other documents are being held temporarily until their credentials are verified by state authorities. 'We are ensuring that no genuine citizen faces unnecessary harassment.' However, police have refused to disclose the locations of the four holding centres or the number of individuals currently detained or deported, citing security reasons.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
MLC sanctions funds for waste management unit repair
Mangaluru: MLC Kishore Kumar Puttur sanctioned Rs 5 lakh from his MLC Local Area Development (LAD) Fund for the restoration of the Aranthodu Solid Waste Management (SWM) unit in Sullia, which was completely damaged due to an accidental fire. The MLC said that he held discussions with Dakshina Kannada zilla panchayat CEO Narwade Vinayak Karbhari and instructed officials to immediately take all necessary steps for the reconstruction of the unit. Dakshina Kannada MP Capt Brijesh Chowta and Sullia MLA Bhagirathi Murulya submitted a memorandum through the MLC to the authorities to reconstruct the SWM unit. The MLC said efforts are being made to avail additional funds from the central govt under the Swachh Bharat Mission for the reconstruction of the SWM. He informed that a foundation stone laying ceremony will be held within a month. Preparations are underway to make the new unit operational within three months. The project is designed to provide all modern facilities, keeping in mind the requirements of the region for the next 20 years. Once completed, the new SWM unit will play a major role in waste management for residents as well as surrounding villages, he said, adding that emphasis will be given to cleanliness, environmental conservation, and rural health. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Struggling With Belly Fat? Try This at Home Home Fitness Hack Shop Now Undo MP Brijesh Chowta and MLA Bhagirathi Murulya also assured to provide financial support from their respective LAD funds for the project. "Together, we will reconstruct the unit as a part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been propagating," the MLC said.
GMA Network
15-07-2025
- Climate
- GMA Network
Tropical cyclones outside PH landmass more responsible for heavy rainfall during Habagat season
Men wade through a flooded road following heavy rains brought by Typhoon Carina (Gaemi) and the Habagat (Southwest Monsoon), in Manila on July 24, 2024. REUTERS/ Lisa Marie David Heavy rainfall is more likely to be caused by tropical cyclones that do not make landfall than by those that do during the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) season from July to September, according to a new study. After examining 62 years of weather data (1961 to 2022), researchers from Ateneo de Manila University, the Manila Observatory, PAGASA, and Japanese partner institutions found that the indirect effect of tropical cyclones accounts for 33.1% of rainfall, more than twice as much as the direct effect (15.4%). The remaining 51.5% is attributed to the monsoon itself, without tropical cyclone influence. The rainfall measurements were taken from 11 stations along the western coast of the Philippines (Laoag, Baguio, Dagupan, Iba, Science Garden-Quezon City, Port Area-Manila, Sangley Point, Ambulong, Coron, Cuyo, and Iloilo). ''The peak of the typhoon season coincides with the peak SWM [Southwest Monsoon] months. This leads to the interaction between the two weather systems. In some cases, TCs [tropical cyclones] are able to 'enhance' the SWM. This usually happens when a TC is located to the northeast of the Philippines during the peak SWM months, bringing heavy rainfall especially over the western coast of the Philippines,'' the study said. ''The most recent example is Typhoon Gaemi (Carina) in 2024, which did not make landfall in the Philippines but still brought about extremely high amounts of rain over the country due to its enhancement of the SWM,'' it added. ''Two other examples of this phenomenon are the 'enhanced Habagat' cases of 2012 and 2013, which occurred from 6–10 August 2012 and 18–22 August 2013, respectively.'' The study also found that in the four rainiest years on record—1962, 1972, 2012, and 2018—rainfall totals soared above 2,000 millimeters during the Habagat season, with indirect effects of tropical cyclones accounting for 41.5 percent of total rainfall. ''By distinguishing between rainfall caused by the monsoon as well as the direct and indirect effects of tropical cyclones, the researchers hope to improve the way we anticipate extreme weather,'' Ateneo said. ''Understanding these distinctions is crucial for local governments and disaster response agencies, especially as climate change increases the unpredictability of both tropical cyclones and seasonal rainfall.'' Ateneo published the study on June 11. —GMA Integrated News
Time of India
11-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
Bulk waste not treated on-site, club fined 10 lakh for violating norms in Noida
1 2 Noida: The Authority on Friday imposed a fine of Rs 10 lakh on Unitech Golf & Country Club, in Sector 96, for violating rules of bulk waste generators. The officials in an earlier inspection, found improper segregation, storage, and handling of solid waste management. Under the Solid Waste Management (SWM) rules, 2016, bulk generators are required to treat their wet waste on-site. The city generates nearly 800 tons of solid waste per day, of which nearly 30% comes from BWGs. SP Singh, general manager (health), said, "We found that legacy waste and daily garbage were being dumped indiscriminately within their premises. The garbage was found dumped on public roads by the employees. Due to the dumping of legacy waste, there is a high risk of groundwater contamination." You Can Also Check: Noida AQI | Weather in Noida | Bank Holidays in Noida | Public Holidays in Noida The club's management has been granted one day to clean the waste dumped on public roads. The Authority also conducted a workshop for bulk waste generators last month and sensitised them on the issue. During the workshop, instructions were given on how to segregate waste into different categories like wet waste, dry waste, hazardous waste, medical waste, etc. The Noida Authority has also stopped collecting mixed waste from BWGs from July 1. A clear warning was also issued that if bulk waste generators fail to comply with the rules, strict legal action will be taken against them.
Time of India
09-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
Community mobilisers will oversee waste management
Hubballi: Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC) initiated a plan to employ community mobilisers for supervising cleanliness operations and educating residents about appropriate waste disposal methods. Starting July 15, these mobilisers will work alongside health inspectors and oversee pourakarmikas' activities beginning at 6 in the morning. They will have the authority to photograph individuals who dispose of rubbish in public spaces, enabling the authorities to impose penalties on offenders. Mayor Jyoti Patil in her maiden and seventh edition phone-in programme received many complaints related to garbage disposal violations among a total of 33 calls. Later, the mayor said she will focus more on proper garbage disposal and streamlining Solid Waste Management (SWM). She added that the officials of SWM completed the recruitment and selected 63 community mobilisers. After completing all formalities, the mobilisers will start working after July 15, she added. Santosh Yarangali, executive engineer, SWM, HDMC, said mobilisers are appointed under the Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0 programme. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like An engineer reveals: One simple trick to get internet without a subscription Techno Mag Learn More Undo For a population of 15,000, one mobiliser is appointed. The Union govt will give the salary of the mobilisers for three years. For three years, the total salary for all 63 mobilisers will be Rs 4.3 crore, each mobiliser will get a salary of over Rs 18,000 per month. The mobilisers will document instances of improper garbage disposal through photographs, which will help HDMC enforce penalties on offenders. They will work closely with health inspectors to maintain cleanliness standards across residential and commercial areas. Their role extends beyond monitoring to include educating residents about proper waste segregation and disposal methods. They will conduct door-to-door awareness campaigns and organise community meetings to explain the importance of maintaining clean surroundings, he added. Mayor Patil emphasised that achieving a clean and green city requires active public participation, noting that despite multiple initiatives, citizens are not collaborating with HDMC in eliminating black spots. R Vijay Kumar, superintending engineer, HDMC, said CCTV cameras have been installed at more than 116 black spots, with additional cameras placed in all HDMC wards using corporators' funds. He added that after verifying the functionality of these cameras, enforcement actions will commence with proper video evidence against offenders. Deputy mayor Santosh Chavan said the initiative is expected to create better coordination among stakeholders involved in city cleanliness, including residents, commercial establishments, pourakarmikas and municipal authorities.
