PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/ Dehradun
The member secretary, Pollution Control Board, Parag Madhukar Dhakate said that with the quantity of waste increasing with rapid urbanisation, it is essential to take scientific and data-driven approaches to the grassroots level and ensure the active participation of public representatives and citizens.
Detailed information was shared on the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026, dumpsite remediation, waste segregation, air pollution control and the role of local bodies at a press conference on ‘Solid Waste Management’ at the Secretariat on Wednesday organised by the Press Information Bureau (PIB), Dehradun, under the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
He further said that under the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026, which came into effect from 1 April, emphasis has been placed on segregating waste into four streams—wet, dry, sanitary and special-care waste.
He emphasised that 100 per cent door-to-door waste collection is being provided across 1,314 wards under 108 Urban Local Bodies in Uttarakhand.
Around 1,515 vehicles are currently available, while procurement of additional vehicles is underway. New vehicles are being equipped with four compartments for four-stream segregation. Source segregation has already been initiated in 1,225 wards. Approximately 1,930.85 metric tonnes of waste is generated daily in the state, of which 1,804.59 metric tonnes (93.46 per cent) is processed every day. A total of 61 legacy waste/dumpsites have been identified. Of the approximately 23.34 lakh metric tonnes of legacy waste, treatment of 12.70 lakh metric tonnes (54.41 per cent) has been completed.
The additional director, Urban Development, Praveen Kumar said that mayors, councillors and other public representatives have been urged to motivate citizens to undertake four-stream waste segregation at source, responsible use of plastic and compliance with sanitation norms.
“Special attention is also required for proper waste management by RWAs, hotels, restaurants and other Bulk Waste Generators. In view of increasing pilgrimage and tourism activities in Char Dham and other tourism areas, emphasis was laid on preparing a special plan for proper waste collection, segregation, transportation and scientific processing in these areas. Collective participation of the government, local bodies, public representatives, institutions, commercial establishments and citizens is essential for clean air and effective solid waste management,” he added.
