Chief Secretary AP Padhi in a videoconferencing with all district Collectors on Wednesday directed the urban local bodies (ULBs) to comply with solid waste management (SWM) norms.
Six identified model cities and towns were asked to be fully compliant by September 25 and other towns were asked for complying with all SWM guidelines by March, 2020.
Available data show the cities and towns of Bhubaneswar, Brahmapur, Rourkela, Dhenkanal, Jajpur and Chhatrapur have been identified as model cities.
Principal Secretary G Mathivathanan appraised that detail guidelines and SOP for solid waste management have been sent to all ULBs.
These include assessment of human resources, engagement of Swachha Sathis and supervisors, identification of suitable land for establishment of micro compositing units (MCCs), preparation of route chart for movement of vehicles, segregation of bio-degradable waste, composting process, disposal of dry waste, identification of bulk waste generators, IEC among the people and timeline for completion of different works.
So far, 1,453 bulk waste generators have been identified and 447 Swachh Sathis have been engaged.
Similarly 231 sites have been identified for construction of MCCs which will serve 7.13 lakh households in 1,458 wards.
Further, Chief Secretary Padhi directed the Collectors to complete preparation of District Survey Reports (DSRs) of their districts to seek permission for drawing minor minerals.
Director Environment Dr K Mrugesan said, “The DSR is mandatory to grant permission for mining of the minor minerals like stone, sand and morums.” Additional Chief Secretary and Development Commissioner Asit Kumar Tripathy added, “Since these materials are inevitable for construction and infrastructure development works, the Collectors should prioritize the completion of DSR and send it to the Government at the earliest.”
The Collectors were also asked to form the District Environment Committee and prepare the District Environment Action Plan as per directives of the National Green Tribunal.