LG flags off SDMC's new waste collection vehicles

Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal on Sunday flagged off a fleet of garbage collection vehicles of the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) and praised the civic body saying that there was a "vibrant mood" due to the initiatives taken by it.

The LG expressed satisfaction that the new vehicles comprising mobile transfer stations (MTSs) and auto-tippers were flagged off on the eve of World Environment Day, signifying awareness towards improved sanitation and cleanliness.

"The new advanced mechanical infrastructure will result in Rs 461 crore in savings in the west and south zones of SDMC over a period of eight years," said Baijal.

Baijal further stated that the scientific collection, systematic segregation of the garbage, compressed volume of the garbage, dumping of less quantity of garbage in the SLFs and providing enough scope for recycling will provide an excellent opportunity to convert waste into wealth to the SDMC.

"Our commitment to mitigate adverse effects of pollution and make our Delhi a better place to live in," Baijal said.

He also stressed upon the need of enhancing community participation to ensure a grand success of the new initiative.

South Delhi Commissioner Puneet Goel said the civic body had undertaken the first ever project of collecting and managing garbage, in lines with the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016.

"The new set up will enforce a complete check over open-dumping, waste-burning, waste spillage during transportation and will also ensure that there is no manual handling of the waste," he said.

The infrastructure is "less expensive" than the existing one and will be able to manage 2,700 MT of waste per day, in comparison with the 1,700 MT now.

South Delhi Mayor Kamaljeet Sherawat said the move would benefit around 19 lakh residents in 29 wards of the west zone, which generates a total solid waste of 855 MT per day.

A new fleet of 30 fixed compactor transfer stations (FCTSs), 38 MTSs and refuse collectors, 20 hook-loaders, 166 auto-tippers, 32 four-wheelers, 62 rickshaws, 1,225 steel bins and three bin washers would suffice for the scientific management of the waste in the west zone, she added.