HDMC reaches 80% of its waste segregation target

Pic: HDMC officials create awareness on segregating waste at household level in HubballiHubballi: Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC) is facing challenges in achieving 100% waste segregation at source in the twin cities, with progress reaching only 80% after comprehensive solid waste management was implemented and mass awareness was created over 5 years. Officials said segregation received a poor response in slum areas. To improve segregation, HDMC appointed 63 community mobilisers (CMs) to visit homes, create awareness, and capture pictures of waste provided by residents.
The comprehensive solid waste management (SWM) project was implemented more than 5 years ago. Although more than 300 auto tippers were functioning door-to-door to collect waste, the Solid Waste Management (SWM) Rules 2016 mandate that all waste generators—households, institutions, and commercial establishments—segregate waste at source. It instructed spot fines, but HDMC kept quiet. HDMC officials set a priority to achieve 100% waste segregation at source but failed.Santosh Yarangalli, executive engineer, HDMC's solid waste management department, said that they faced various challenges in waste segregation at source. Most residents in slum areas and residential areas provided mixed waste. However, after many drives and door-to-door awareness, they achieved 80% waste segregation at source. A survey was conducted by community mobilisers for this. HDMC deployed 4 to 6 CMs in each zone to monitor waste management, he said.Rudresh Ghali, commissioner of the HDMC, told TOI that they appointed approximately 80 community mobilisers working in the twin cities. Information, education, and communication (IEC) activities were conducted through these community mobilisers. Approximately 314 auto tippers were functioning to collect waste in the cities. Action would be taken to achieve 100% waste segregation, he assured.Akshata M, a HDMC community mobiliser, said that most areas, including slum areas and commercial establishments such as Nehru Nagar and Gouli Galli, provided mixed waste. They warned residents and informed the health inspectors for further action.Ramesh Noolvi, Zone-01 zonal commissioner, said that community mobilisers visited, and citizens were informed about correct waste segregation methods and were encouraged to cooperate with sanitation workers for effective waste management. Fines for not segregating waste were imposed.He emphasised that segregation of waste at source is essential for maintaining cleanliness, improving waste processing efficiency, and ensuring environmental protection. He urged citizens to actively participate and support HDMC's cleanliness initiatives.Kiran Matti, a resident of Judge Colony, Hubballi, said that waste segregation at source needed to increase. HDMC would create awareness regarding waste segregation at source itself and would impose a fine for not segregating, he said.