Delhi residents beware: Segregate waste or shell out fines upto Rs 100,000

This drive, however, will begin after proper guidelines have been issued and the public is made aware

For all we know, mixed waste cannot be treated. Therefore segregate waste at the right source, or be ready to pay fine!

The three Delhi Municipal Corporations have come up with an action plan for waste segregation, maintaining the order that any housing societies, market associations, etc, should segregate waste scientifically, failing which a fine between Rs 10,000 to Rs 100,000 will be imposed.

This drive, however, will begin after proper guidelines and awareness have been issued to the public. Senior officials emphasized on the importance of implementing waste management in a proper and planned manner. The plan will then be rolled out after 6 months across the capital.

Blue print on how to execute the waste segregation plan:

• Issue public notice to segregate both dry (non-biodegradable) and wet (biodegradable) waste scientifically at the right source
• To carry out public awareness on waste disposal, segregation
• Involve public participation in waste management
• Go door-to-door campaign to help ensure that public is made aware
• Ragpickers to be brought into the system at a later stage to help send waste to proper waste plant

Keeping in mind the financial status of the East and North corporation, senior officials plans to proceed the action by using funds from the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM)

"We had received Rs 100 crore under the Swachh Bharat Mission and this will be used for carrying out work related to waste segregation. We are in the process of floating a tender for procurement of fixed compactors which will help in segregating the waste," a senior East corporation told TOI.

So far, the South corporation has deployed 78 fixed compactors, and aims to achieve 100% processing of solid waste by 2019.