Make Delhi a zero-landfill Delhi, says Ajay Maken

New Delhi: Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee president Ajay Maken said on Wednesday that the garbage generated in each area of the city should be treated at the local level instead of dumping it in Rani Khera or other places. 

Mr Maken sought the cooperation of Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and state BJP president Manoj Tiwari, asking them to rise above petty politics in order to make Delhi a “zero landfill city”. 

He said there was need to make compost at local level. “We don’t need landfills in Delhi. Around 9,000 tonnes of garbage is generated in Delhi daily, out of which 5,600 tonnes are organic waste. This can be treated at the local level to make compost,” Mr Maken said, while addressing a protest held at Rani Khera village in outer Delhi. 

He said that all over the world the garbage is segregated at the home level, organic waste is treated at street level to make composts and the remainder is used in various ways. He said the same method should be applied in Delhi to make it “zero landfill city”. 

“Delhi generates 9,000 tonnes of waste daily, which is dumped at landfills without treating it and that is the reason for the existing landfills overflowing with garbage, creating mishaps, spreading diseases, polluting ground water and other health problems,” he said. 

Mr Maken said the Centre’s push on Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan should have been an opportunity for the three MCDs to provide innovative solutions and facilities for the people of Delhi by segregating waste at home and treating them locally. 

“But the civic bodies, run by BJP are not interested in setting up small waste treatment plants. If the plants are set up, it will put a stop on corruption,” Mr Maken added.