Fadnavis bats for decentralising waste processing

He said decentralised waste processing also brings down the expenditure and increases efficiency. “This is a good beginning with the corporate sector coming forward and contributing towards keeping the city clean through solid waste management. The state government would encourage the corporate sector to take up similar initiatives in other cities,” said Fadnavis.

The Chief Minister said under the smart city mission, the state government had undertaken a citizen survey on the priorities, and found that everywhere, the priority was safety and sanitation. “Citizens need road and infrastructure but the priority has been a clean and safe city,” he said, adding that the initiative of Poonawalla group was laudable and inspiring for others in the corporate sector as it was contributing towards the mission of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to make India clean.

“The 300-tonne waste processing plant being set up as CSR activity will be ready in a record nine months and process wet waste,” he said, adding that smart bins and waste carrying containers would change the way waste is handled in the city.

Adar Poonawalla, CEO, Serum Institute of India, said, “We have tried to develop a self-sustained model. Under this initiative, we aim to cover cleaning of 300-km roads running across municipal limits of the city in a phased manner.”

Highlights of the initiative

n Investment of Rs 100 crore towards the clean and green initiative
n First-of-its-kind unique Public-Private collaboration to make cities worthy of living
n Movement to cover over 300-km road over 3 years across Pune city
n Over 1 lakh tonnes of wet waste to be processed every year at Talegaon plant
n 109 acres of landfill area to be freed due to scientific and eco-friendly waste processing
n One year of wet waste removal will result in 542 tonnes of carbon emission saved