Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) in India has been facing significant challenges in managing the collection, transportation, and recycling of construction and demolition (C&D) waste. Despite appointing operators and issuing guidelines, the NMC has experienced delays and operational issues. The accumulation of C&D waste on major roads and residential areas has become a pressing concern, prompting the introduction of fines for polluters. The NMC aims to improve waste management by establishing a helpline for waste collection and implementing charges for bulk waste generators. However, the delays in operationalizing recycling plants and lack of action against the operators have hindered effective waste management in Nagpur.
The Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has failed to ensure that the operator it appointed initiates the project for the collection, transportation, and recycling of construction and demolition (C&D) waste, even though the deadline passed over two months ago. Over the past 42 months, the civic body has neglected to remove C&D waste, resulting in the accumulation of debris on major roads, vacant areas, and residential neighbourhoods.
To address this issue, Municipal Commissioner Radhakrishnan B has introduced guidelines for C&D waste management, including fines for those who pollute. Additionally, the civic chief has launched a helpline and established fixed charges for bulk waste transportation and recycling.
According to data from the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC), approximately 200 metric tonnes (MT) of construction and demolition (C&D) waste is produced in the city every day. Previously, the civic body used to remove this waste with the help of Kanak Resources Management Limited, a garbage operator. However, due to new regulations and guidelines, two new garbage operators, BVG India and AG Enviro Infra Projects Private Ltd, were appointed on November 16, 2019. Unfortunately, these operators have been unable to collect and transport the C&D waste for various reasons.
Following an excessive delay, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) finally selected M/s Hyderabad C&D Waste Pvt Ltd to gather and convey construction and demolition (C&D) waste to the Bhandewadi dumping yard for recycling on March 25, 2022. The appointed company was provided with a one-year deadline to establish and operate the recycling facility. However, despite the expiration of the deadline two months ago, the operator has yet to commence the recycling plant or initiate waste collection and transportation. As of now, the NMC has not taken any action against the operator for the delay.
According to the guidelines set by the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC), residents, establishments, and bulk waste generators have the option to contact the helpline (18001233595) to have their construction and demolition (C&D) waste collected from their premises. The appointed operator is obligated to collect this waste from citizens without any charge. For bulk waste generators, the operator is permitted to impose a fee of Rs.344 per metric tonne (MT) based on an average distance of 10 kilometres along the city's various corners (collection points) according to Google maps.
A bulk generator refers to anyone, whether a private entity or a government agency, producing C&D waste of 20 MT or more per day. The appointed operator is authorized to receive waste at their recycling facility from any town or village located within a 25-kilometer radius of the city. For this service, the operator can charge recycling fees of Rs.234 per metric tonne (MT), which will also increase by 5% annually.
To ensure that all waste is handed over to the operator, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC)'s nuisance detection squad (NDS) will impose a fine of Rs.5,500 on individuals found dumping waste in public areas. This fine will increase by Rs.500 each fiscal year.
The NMC has granted the operator the exclusive rights to sell the recycled waste. All government agencies have been instructed to include a condition in their contracts for the procurement of recyclable materials that they must engage the services of the operator. If there is a lack of stock or shortage, these agencies will be required to obtain non-availability certificates from the operator to procure waste from the open mark.
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