Taking cognisance of the fact that local bodies do not have their own space in the areas coming under jurisdiction for treating and managing solid waste generated in their towns, the Maharashtra Government has decided to provide land to the Municipal Councils and Nagar Panchayats for solid waste management.
Announcing the policy initiative, Maharashtra Revenue Minister Balasaheb Thorat said here on Thursday: “Increasing urbanization has made the problem of solid waste management more complex. The development plans of many cities in Maharashtra are stalled as the Municipal Councils and Nagar Panchayats do not have their own space for treating and managing solid waste. The Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi Government has decided to provide land for solid waste management in such cities”.
Thorat said that many cities in the state were facing a problem of managing their solid waste. “In many places, the lack of an effective method of solid waste management has often led to serious disputes between the local administration and the villagers. Some municipalities do not have space available,” he said.
“All of this is having an impact on solid waste management. These problems are being faced by many municipal councils in the state. As a result, there are difficulties in getting government funds for the development of these municipalities,” Thorat said.
Thorat said that more than 150 Municipal Councils and Nagar Panchayats in the state had cleared a resolution in their general body meetings and sent it to the District Collector, requesting the Government to provide space for collection and treatment of waste.
The minister said that the state government had now given the authority to the District Collector to provide space for solid waste management. “This decision will help solve a major problem for smaller Municipalities and Municipal Councils in the state,” he said.
According to Thorat, the amount of waste generated in smaller cities and towns has multiplied in the last few years due to the growth in population and industrialization. Garbage starts to pile up in the city, and if waste is not disposed of properly, it can lead to unhygienic conditions, spread of disease, pollution, and environmental degradation.
“Now that the main problem of space has been addressed, solid waste management will be done properly, Thorat said.