Karnal admn told to expedite process to set up solid waste management plants

In a bid to address solid waste management in rural areas, the district administration has expedited the efforts to set up solid waste management plants under the Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin). The initiative aims to streamline waste disposal and promote cleanliness across the district's 443 villages, which are part of 395 gram panchayats.

Of the 361 such plants sanctioned in the rural areas, 176 have been completed, work is under way at seven plants and 178 plants are yet to be started. The authorities are facing hurdles in the completion of the project as they are not finding land in 34 gram panchayats, which may delay the construction work.

In Assandh block, 23 out of 43 sanctioned plants have been completed, while work on 20 is pending. In Chirao block, only eight out of 22 plants are operational, while work on one plant is going on and work on 13 is yet to start. Gharaunda block has 38 sanctioned plants, of which 16 are completed, and 22 are still awaiting construction. Karnal block has completed work on 22 of its 38 plants, leaving 16 pending.

In Kunjpura block, nine out of 26 sanctioned plants are completed, while 17 are yet to begin construction. Munak block has 28 sanctioned plants, with 13 completed and 15 pending. In Nilokheri block, 30 out of 69 plants are operational, while work on 33 is incomplete. Nissing block has completed work on 11 out of 21 plants, with 10 still pending.

Union Minister for Power, Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal Khattar recently reviewed the progress of the plants and directed the authorities to expedite the pending work. Gaurav Kumar, CEO, Zila Parishad, Karnal, said that the gram panchayats were leading the construction of these plants with funding from the state government. “We are exploring options for land in villages where it is unavailable,” he said, adding that the primary objective is to ensure effective solid waste management.

“The panchayats have been directed to ensure the completion of these plants at the earliest,” he said.