ULBs launch three-month special drive for waste mgmt across Uttar Pradesh | Lucknow News
Lucknow: A three-month-long special drive has been launched by all 762 urban local bodies (ULBs) to ensure waste collection, segregation, and disposal across the state. During the 2024-25 Swachh Survekshan, only 83 ULBs out of 762 (11% of total ULBs) in the state attained garbage-free ratings and certification. Although more than 16 cities were able to attain water plus certification, which signifies wastewater is being treated satisfactorily, satisfactory levels could only be achieved on one front — keeping open defecation in check.On Monday, a high-level meeting of senior officials of urban development department took place, during which all municipal commissioners and executive officers heading the nagar palikas (municipal councils) and nagar panchayats (town councils) were directed to carry out a sustained drive from Sept-Nov to create capacity and process waste.“Though UP has 26 solid waste plants, 956 compost pits, 796 material recovery facilities, and nine construction and debris processing plants, additional efforts are required to augment the capacity of nagar panchayats and nagar palikas,” a senior officer said. He added that funds would be provided to local bodies after the evaluation of their proposals and reports summarising benefits of the projects.A district-level Swachh Goal Promotion Committee will be constituted to carry out inspections and random visits within the urban localities. “Officers have been provided the list of vulnerable points where garbage is dumped in municipal wards. They have been directed to start work on vulnerable spots in the first phase and submit a report to the directorate,” the officer said.Instructions have been issued for collection of user charges from urban residents, through which waste processing infrastructure will be strengthened during the drive. Random field visits will to be conducted from 6-9am daily.
