Open House: What should be done to resolve long-standing issue of disposal of legacy waste, untreated sewage?

Organise public awareness drives

As cities and industries expand, a pressing environmental crisis arises from the improper disposal of legacy waste and untreated sewage. This issue threatens both the environment and public health. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) recently ordered the state government to pay Rs 1,026 crore in environmental compensation for improper disposal of legacy waste and untreated sewage in the state. However, Ludhiana, the state’s industrial hub that generates 1,100 tonnes of garbage, was the first to implement waste bioremediation as part of the smart city project, but garbage processing was halted before it was realised that garbage accumulation can exacerbate environmental problems. Legacy waste, which includes hazardous materials, frequently contains chemicals, heavy metals, and other pollutants. Many of these substances, once buried in landfills, continue to leach into the soil, contaminating groundwater. Another dangerous component is untreated sewage, which not only pollutes water bodies but also disrupts aquatic ecosystems, resulting in harmful algal blooms and reduced biodiversity. A multifaceted approach is required to address issues such as improper legacy waste disposal and untreated sewage. Public awareness campaigns can also help by informing communities about the importance of proper waste disposal and the risks associated with contamination. Furthermore, industries must use cleaner technologies.

Novin Christopher

Focus on waste segregation

We are now stressing on segregation of waste. Residents are being made aware and I myself am visiting garbage dumpsites to oversee waste segregation so that disposal of refuse becomes systematic. We are also planning the disposal of legacy waste. The MC has issued a tender for the disposal of waste at the Jainpur garbage dump. A tender amounting to Rs 11 crore has been floated for processing 2.18 lakh metric tonnes of garbage. We plan to clear the place of trash within a year. Tenders are also being floated for disposal of garbage that has collected at the Tajpur Road garbage dump.

Sandeep Rishi, MC commissioner

Issue necessitates immediate action

This issue necessitates immediate action and cooperation from the residents for it may become difficult to manage in the long run. To address this, I would recommend educating the community through awareness campaigns. These campaigns should teach people about waste disposal, recycling and the provisions of the Environmental Protection Act. The Act’s Section 9 states that if an event occurs that harms the environment, whether foreseen or unforeseen, the person responsible for the harm is obligated to prevent or alleviate the pollutant discharged as a result of such event. The person is also required to notify the authorities concerned about any event that may harm the environment. Strict punishment can serve as a deterrent, encouraging individuals, businesses and organisations to follow waste management regulations more closely. Furthermore, monitoring discharge into waterbodies on a regular basis can be beneficial. The successful implementation of these solutions will result in cleaner water bodies, less pollution, and better public health.

Sukhman Kaur Reyat

Old facilities no longer meet needs

Legacy waste is defined as material that has been generated in the past as a result of industrial or nuclear activities. The disposal of this waste has long been a problem, as old storage facilities no longer meet current civil standards. This waste not only pollutes the soil but also poses a risk to humans and animals. To protect humans and biodiversity, long-term solutions for properly disposing of legacy waste are required. Another major issue is the discharge of untreated sewage into open waterbodies by many industries, which causes significant disruption to the hydrosphere. Establishing large sewage treatment plants is critical to addressing this. The government should also impose strict fines on those who do not properly dispose of sewage and waste. Only with such measures can this issue be effectively resolved.

Kirandeep Kaur

Invest in biomining, novel disposal tech

To resolve this issue, we must recognise it as collective responsibility. Separating waste into biodegradable and non-biodegradable categories makes recycling non-biodegradable materials easier, while composting biodegradable waste. Biomining, which uses biological processes to recover valuable materials from waste, is also an option. Explore and invest in new waste treatment and disposal technologies and methods, such as soil washing, bioremediation or thermal desorption; ensure that all disposal practices comply with local, national and international regulations, and educate people about legacy waste and the importance of proper disposal. Addressing the problem of untreated sewage necessitates a multifaceted approach that includes infrastructure improvements, technological solutions, public health and awareness, financial assistance and community participation.

Sehaj mittal

Penalise those burning garbage

To avoid such penalties, the local government must form a committee to oversee garbage disposal and the proper operation of the city’s sewerage. At the ward level, it should be the responsibility of the councillor to investigate these issues. Those collectors who do not segregate garbage must be punished. At street level, proper sewerage must be laid down to ensure proper flow, and at some point, a treatment plant must be installed to treat sewer waste. The inspection committee must visit each street and notify the corporation if there is a problem with the flow of sewage or garbage collection. Vehicles and factories that pollute the environment should be fined or banned. We should not burn garbage. Every resident must work together to keep the city clean and green, and each must take responsibility for segregating garbage before handing it over to the garbage collector.

Dr Mohd Saleem Farooqui

Modernise, expand treatment plants

To address the critical issues of legacy waste and untreated sewage, the state should prioritise upgrading the sewage treatment infrastructure, as well as the implementation of comprehensive waste separation and processing systems. To begin, investing in the modernisation and expansion of sewage treatment plants (STPs) is critical to ensuring all sewage is treated prior to discharge, thereby preventing water pollution. Implementing a zero-discharge policy for untreated sewage, can improve environmental protection even more. Second, implementing strict waste segregation at the source, as well as establishing waste processing facilities such as composting and waste-to-energy plants, will significantly reduce the burden on landfills and enable efficient management of biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste. These two focused approaches, have the potential to significantly reduce environmental damage and pave the way for a cleaner, healthier state.

Tamanpreet Kaur Khangura

Implement system for regular monitoring

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) imposed a Rs 1,026 crore fine on the state government for inadequate waste disposal effluent discharge, highlighting a serious issue we cannot ignore. While the penalty emphasises the gravity of the situation, it also provides an important opportunity for us to take decisive action and address these challenges effectively. In my opinion, we should first develop a comprehensive waste management strategy. This plan should include not only improved waste segregation and recycling, but also long-term waste management strategies. Our goal should be to significantly reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills, thereby reducing its environmental impact. I believe investing in our sewage treatment infrastructure is equally important. Modernising and expanding our facilities will ensure that all sewage is effectively treated before being discharged into our waterbodies. Construction of new treatment plants and upgrades to existing ones should be top priorities. Additionally, strengthening regulations and enforcement mechanisms is an important step. We must ensure that waste management and sewage treatment standards are strictly followed, and that violations are met with appropriate penalties. This will help to maintain environmental standards and increase compliance. This effort relies heavily on public awareness and community engagement. We should launch educational campaigns to teach residents the value of proper waste disposal and recycling. Incorporating advanced technologies is also critical for improving our waste management practices. Furthermore, forming alliances with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and other stakeholders can add resources and expertise to the mix. Public-private partnerships can accelerate progress and introduce new ideas to address waste management challenges. Finally, implementing a system for regular monitoring and evaluation will allow us to track progress and make necessary changes. By implementing these comprehensive measures, we can not only address current issues but also work towards a cleaner, healthier environment in the future. This is a collaborative effort that necessitates participation from all segments of society. Together, we can turn this challenge into an opportunity for meaningful change.

Tamanna Verma

Violators should face legal action

Recently, the National Green Tribunal imposed Rs 1,026 crore penalty on the state government. As a result, the municipal corporation is on toes feeling the brunt. Many factors contribute to the legacy waste management problem, including the corporation’s employees’ lethargic and unmotivated attitude, a shortage of low-level workers, a lack of awareness among residents about legacy waste segregation, people dumping waste on the roadside, waste collection not being done on a daily basis by authorities, and so on. Ludhiana is part of the Central Government’s Smart City Development Project. The Union Government is offering funds to help develop the targeted cities. The state government is also taking an interest in the issue. It is true the civic authorities are providing compactors at residents’ doorsteps to prevent open dumping of garbage. Waste management includes the collection, transportation, processing, recycling and disposal of human-generated waste. The civic authorities should use cutting-edge technology to manage waste. People should follow municipal authorities’ waste management guidelines, not throw waste materials in open spaces, and choose designated spots. The state government should enact strict laws that warn residents about the dangers of open dumping of garbage. Violators should face financial penalties. These measures have the potential to improve the overall quality of legacy waste management and processing.

Sukhdev Sharma

Non-conforming units must be relocated

The richest civic body in the state, the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation, generates 1,100 tonnes of wet and dry waste per day, and only 49 per cent of it is treated. Some months back, the NGT (National Green Tribunal) monitoring committee expressed concern over large amounts of legacy waste that had accumulated at the Tajpur road dumpsite because the civic body had failed to ensure proper waste processing. The massive accumulation of waste drew the attention of MC officials. The MC launched a comprehensive project to rid the city of open garbage dumps through solid waste management, including the installation of portable compactors at strategic locations throughout the city, as well as the purchase of hook-loaders for moving garbage from compactor sites to the main dumpsite, among other things. However, things did not improve, and a few days back, the NGT imposed a Rs 1,026 crore fine on the state government for failing to take concrete steps on solid waste management and sewage disposal. The MC should ensure complete door-to-door garbage collection. More portable compactors should be installed to separate and manage waste. Litterers should face penalties, and dustbins should be placed in busy markets. Because of the haphazard growth of industrial units in some residential and industrial areas of the city, the streets are littered with garbage, and the sewers and drains frequently overflow. The administration should not have issued NOCs for the establishment of factories in such areas, as most factories discharge their effluents into MC sewers or drains, causing pollution and release of toxic gases, resulting in numerous tragedies. Make arrangements to relocate such factories to other locations. The units must be persuaded to establish their own effluent treatment plants in order to prevent toxic discharge into the sewers. The NGT guidelines should be followed in the letter and spirit.

RS Sembhi

QUESTION

A brief spell of rain leaves most parts of the city under knee-deep water causing major hardship to residents, especially commuters, who face a tough time wading through waterlogged areas. What needs to be done to resolve the perennial civic problem?

Suggestions in not more than 200 words can be sent to ludhianadesk@tribunemail.com by Thursday (Sept 12)