The residents of Co-operative Group Housing Societies (CGHS) in Vasundhara Enclave have a reason to cheer. The East Delhi Municipal Corporation (EDMC) has tied up with a local NGO to work on a zero-waste management programme that is expected to turn Vasundhra Enclave into a model residential colony.
Work is expected to begin from March 2017. Dr Mohanjeet Singh, EDMC commissioner, made the announcement on December 7 while presenting the annual budget. “Initial work had begun in the first week of November in accordance with the new rules of waste management. We have asked an NGO to conduct a survey in Vasundhara Enclave and submit a report. The NGO has submitted an action plan, and it has been approved by both the standing committee and the house."
The civic body is expected to provide manpower, equipment and land for setting up the waste-management facility. The NGO will hold meetings with RWAs and representatives from different societies to create awareness about segregating daily waste in separate bags.
“Most households are not segregating the waste. So, implementing new rules for solid waste management becomes tough. Hence, we have decided to go to residential colonies one by one, creating awareness. We are starting with Vasundhara Enclave and will later implement the project in other residential colonies, such as Mayur Vihar Phase 1, Patparganj and Preet Vihar,” Singh said.
He added, “Wet waste will go to compost pits and e-waste will be sent to a recycle centre. Ragpickers will collect recyclable items from the dry waste and the rest will go to a landfill site. It will not only reduce the load on the landfill site, but also make the colony garbage free.”
JP Sharma, secretary of Joint Forum of Vasundhara Enclave CGHS, spoke of another aspect of waste management. He said, "Segregating waste is not enough. The garbage-filled dhalaos pose a bigger challenge. These dhalaos must be cleaned every day. The Federation will raise this issue when the NGO or the MCD holds a meeting with us."
When City Spidey spoke to the residents, they welcomed the move and assured full co-operation. SC Bhatia, a resident of Samrat Apartment, said, “It's a great move, and is indeed the need of the hour."
