Page 24 - CIJ Nov 2023 Digital Edition

Cover Story

Vasai-Virar Municipal Corporation

Setting New Standards in

Urban Cleanliness

asai-Virar is making implemented user charges,
strides in urban waste covering 26% of the solid waste
management, with management service costs. The
frequent garbage initiative has also empowered 70
Vcollection from Resident Welfare Associations
commercial and residential areas, (RWAs) and 128 Self-Help
and extensive street sweeping to Groups (SHGs) to practise on-site
maintain cleanliness. The city’s composting, contributing to waste
commitment to reducing air reduction and providing livelihood
pollution is evident in its plans opportunities.
to introduce additional sweeping To raise awareness and
machines, capable of collecting educate citizens on solid waste
smaller particles that manual management, VVCMC has
sweeping cannot address. The engaged an agency for Information
city processes legacy waste using Education & Communication
trommels and recovers 26% of (IEC) work. The corporation is
its solid waste management costs tackling legacy waste with a 300
from user charges. TPD capacity trommel and has
Sukdev Darveshi, Assistant plans for a dumpsite remediation
Municipal Commissioner at Vasai project to process around 15 Our solid waste management
Virar City Municipal Corporation, lakh tons of accumulated waste. plan is comprehensive
highlights the city’s efforts to Additionally, an agency will soon
combat air pollution, stating, “In be appointed to process the daily and inclusive, aiming for
a few months, five more sweeping collected waste of approximately 100% waste collection and
machines will hit the roads to 686 TPD. segregation. We are proud
make the city dust-free and reduce of our initiatives under the
air pollution.” On-site composting Under the Safai Mitra Suraksha Swachh Bharat Mission,
is practised by resident welfare Challenge Mission, VVCMC has
associations and self-help groups, upgraded its waste management which have not only
with a toll-free number available infrastructure with advanced contributed to cost recovery
for sewer and septic tank cleaning machines for sewer line and but also empowered local
services. septic tank cleaning. A dedicated communities and RWAs to
helpline and WhatsApp group
The Vasai-Virar Municipal facilitate quick resolution of actively participate in waste
Corporation (VVCMC) is related complaints, while the management.”
proactively addressing solid waste establishment of a Responsible
management with a comprehensive Sanitation Authority (RSA) Sukdev Darveshi
plan aimed at achieving 100% and an Emergency Sanitation
waste collection and segregation. Response Unit (ERSU) ensure
The infrastructure includes a efficient and safe waste disposal
variety of equipment, from 72,500 practices. The collection of
distributed dustbins to compactors, sanitation tax and user charges for
dumpers, and mechanised road these services contributes to the
sweeping machines, ensuring financial sustainability of the waste
efficient waste handling. management system, maintaining
Under the Swachh Bharat a clean and hygienic environment
Mission, VVCMC has for the residents of Vasai-Virar.

NOVEMBER 2023•Clean India Journal
24 www.cleanindiajournal.com