Waste to compost: Hamirpur MC shows the way

The first civic body in the state to successfully implement the door-to-door waste collection, Hamipur MC manages and segregates over 15 tonnes of garbage daily at its waste treatment plant located at Dugneri village.

Fourteen vehicles with separate compartments for degradable and non-degradable waste daily make around 50 trips from the town to the waste treatment plant to dispose of the garbage. Every household and shop in the town is instructed to keep two dustbins and stock degradable and non-degradable garbage separately before the waste is handed over to trash collectors.

The town had also experienced reforms in civic amenities as 12 public convenience spots were constructed with modern facilities for both men and women. The cleanliness of the town, which happens to be the headquarter of Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu’s home district, had fetched it a number of awards at the state and national levels.

Ajmer Thakur, retired executive officer at the MC, who played a key role in improving amenities in the town, said he only renovated the facilities and tried to manage them professionally. Now, there are amenities at every 500 to 700 metres, he says.

Pardeep Kumar, a resident of Ward No 4, said earlier, garbage containers were placed on roadsides that would usually stink and posed risks of diseases and infections to locals.

Meera Sharma, a regular visitor to the town from a nearby village, said the toilets in the town were well maintained and hygienic. She said earlier, women had to struggle to find a facility.

MC Joint Commissioner Ram Prasad Sharma said the MC daily collected over 15 tonnes of waste. The degradable garbage was converted into compost manure, while plastic and polythene material was sent to industries, he said. He added that the active participation of residents has made the garbage management programme successful. Over 95 per cent locals segregate the waste at home, he added.

Key challenge before MC

The major challenge before the MC is to extend garbage collection to the newly merged villages and ensure the improvement of working conditions at the garbage treatment plant. With the increase in the area under the MC, the population had doubled and so would the volume of garbage generation.