Open house: How can urban areas tackle rising garbage crisis?

Pilot approach needed for waste segregation

It is highly disappointing that the foremost objective of waste segregation at source, a crucial step towards macro waste management, has still not been achieved even after decades. The basic two reasons for this failure can be attributed to defective and insufficient sustainable infrastructure and the lack of public awareness on a large scale. These two aspects must first be strictly enforced in a selected area on a pilot basis to identify problems at the ground level and ensure their immediate and effective redressal in a time-bound manner by a dedicated team. After achieving this objective, the tested system should then be implemented area-wise in phases, ultimately covering the entire city.

Jagdish Kumar

Youth responsibility key to cleanliness

Waste segregation is one of the most crucial aspects of any civilised society. One fundamental skill that every individual or group should possess is the ability to segregate waste properly so that it does not cause inconvenience to others. Unfortunately, the people of Punjab appear to struggle with properly dividing and disposing of waste on a daily basis. Despite numerous government efforts and initiatives by various organisations, the problem has persisted and in some areas, worsened over the years. Even movements like Haryaval Punjab and radio jockey campaigns have barely made a dent, as nothing seems fully effective. The only way to address this issue is for individuals to understand that our waste is our responsibility and that we are morally obliged to segregate it into recyclable, organic and disposable categories. By doing so, we can achieve significant improvements in cleanliness and make Punjab a better place to live once again.

Lakshit Jindal

Integrated waste management imperative

Despite numerous cleanliness drives over the years, garbage management continues to pose a serious challenge across cities and towns. The root causes lie in weak implementation of waste management policies, lack of proper segregation systems and inadequate allocation of designated garbage disposal sites. As a result, both domestic and industrial waste continue to pile up in residential areas, vacant plots and roadsides due to irregular collection and erratic transportation, creating severe health and environmental hazards. Additionally, stagnant water around heaps of garbage becomes a breeding ground for mosquitoes and other disease-causing pathogens, leading to frequent outbreaks of chronic ailments. The Swachh Bharat Mission, launched in 2014 with substantial financial allocations for selected cities to address such issues through sustainable sanitation and eco-friendly waste management, has not fully achieved its goals. Garbage disposal and overall cleanliness remain pressing problems in many areas. The mission now requires renewed momentum and accountability to ensure proper and timely disposal of solid waste, which is essential to curb both air and water pollution. To achieve the desired progress, it is imperative that each town identifies and develops adequate waste disposal sites. In the absence of designated sites, open dumping and roadside burning continue unchecked, emitting foul odours and toxic gases like methane that harm nearby residential areas and contribute to air pollution. A proactive and integrated approach is urgently needed, ensuring mandatory segregation of waste at the household level, supported by the easy availability of user-friendly dustbins. This will enable faster decomposition of organic waste and facilitate recycling of non-biodegradable materials. The treated biomass, in turn, can be effectively used as organic manure for farming. Manual scavenging should be replaced with modern technological solutions to ensure safe and efficient collection and disposal of waste. Punitive action should be taken against those who fail to comply with waste segregation norms. Garbage disposal facilities must be located away from residential zones and dumping outside earmarked areas should be strictly prohibited. At the same time, civic authorities must maintain strict surveillance to prevent unscientific burning of domestic waste and farm residue — a major contributor to rising pollution levels. To overcome this persistent challenge and move towards a cleaner and more sustainable future, effective waste management requires eco-friendly efforts involving behavioural change in community participation, adoption of technology and strict enforcement of environmental regulations.

Nirmaljit Singh Chatrath

Residents must follow waste programme

Change of ideas and concepts is always possible in the minds of human beings. Earlier, the Municipal Corporation carried out a drive for segregating dry and wet waste, but the issue remains unresolved, leaving the programme in a state of dilemma regarding why it could not be implemented smoothly. Nobody is to be blamed, nor should a blame game be started over this issue. It is ultimately up to the residents to follow the project of segregating dry and wet waste. If this scheme is implemented effectively, it can achieve significant success in lifting dry and wet waste in the public interest. Even though the residents are now aware of this provision, it is entirely up to the masses to follow it strictly or not.

Rajat Kumar Mohindru

Regular garbage collection required

Garbage has become a major issue in the city, with piles of waste seen scattered across almost every corner, turning public spaces into eyesores. Despite repeated complaints and promises from the authorities, very little is being done on the ground to address the problem effectively. In some areas, garbage is cleared one day, only to accumulate again and remain untouched for several days. This inconsistent approach to waste management not only affects the city’s appearance but also poses serious health and environmental risks. The lack of a systematic and sustainable solution highlights a failure in civic planning and execution. Authorities must implement a regular, efficient garbage collection system, backed by strict monitoring and accountability. Public awareness and citizen participation are equally important to ensure cleanliness is maintained. Without timely and concrete action, the garbage crisis will continue to grow, affecting the quality of life and the overall image of the city.

Ajay Mahajan

Segregation starts at home

There’s no doubt that our city is failing to separate wet and dry waste properly. But households can play a major role in solving this issue. By segregating waste at home — keeping vegetable peelings and other wet waste in one bin and dry waste like paper, plastic, metals in another — each resident can greatly ease the burden. It is the responsibility of the residents as well to ensure that the city remains clean and free from any mess.

Yashika Sharma

Waste management is shared responsibility

According to recent reports, only a very small number of bulk waste generators in the city are currently managing their garbage responsibly. This is a matter of concern, especially given the requirements outlined in the solid waste management rules, which mandate that bulk waste generators must treat and manage their wet waste through composting or similar eco-friendly methods. However, compliance remains low and enforcement appears to be lax. Sustainable waste management is a shared responsibility. Improvement can only be achieved when both individuals and institutions take ownership of their roles in maintaining cleanliness and reducing the burden on municipal systems. Citizens, particularly bulk waste producers such as apartment complexes, hotels and commercial establishments, must adopt on-site waste segregation and composting practices. At the same time, authorities must act decisively by strictly monitoring and enforcing compliance with the existing waste management rules. Without accountability on both sides, the city will continue to struggle with mounting waste and environmental degradation. Ultimately, meaningful change will come only when there is collective participation and a sense of duty. Until then, isolated efforts will fall short and the goals of a cleaner, more sustainable city will remain out of reach.

Ravneet Kaur

Participate in cleanliness activities

It is not enough for corporations or authorities to make announcements or launch occasional cleanliness drives with the promise of keeping the city clean. Words alone won’t bring about real change. What is truly needed is consistent and sincere action. The concerned authorities must move beyond slogans and start implementing practical, long-term solutions. Cleaning the city is not a one-time task but a continuous process that requires dedication, proper planning, and effective execution. At the same time, residents have a crucial role to play. A clean city cannot be maintained by the government alone. Every individual must take personal responsibility and begin from their own home and neighbourhood. Proper waste disposal, avoiding littering and participating in community cleanliness activities are simple yet powerful steps that citizens can take. Basic civic sense should be followed at all times—garbage should never be thrown on roads, in public places, or from vehicles. Education and awareness campaigns can help, but ultimately, it is the sense of shared responsibility that will lead to real transformation. When both the authorities and citizens work together with a collective vision and effort, lasting change becomes possible. If we genuinely want to see a cleaner, healthier city, we must all act—every day, in every space we occupy. Cleanliness should not be treated as an occasional campaign, but as a way of life. Only then can we build a city we are truly proud to live in.

Deepa Verma

Every citizen’s participation is crucial

Maintaining cleanliness in the city is not just the responsibility of the civic authorities — it is a shared duty that every citizen must actively uphold. One should not shirk their responsibility by placing the entire burden on municipal bodies. While the authorities are expected to provide efficient waste management systems, residents must also do their part to ensure a cleaner environment. A key step in this direction is proper segregation of waste at the household level. Before handing over garbage to waste collectors, individuals should separate wet and dry waste. This small but essential practice significantly eases the process of recycling and disposal, reducing the strain on the city’s waste management system. Cleanliness must begin at home and every citizen’s active participation is crucial. Only when there is cooperation between the public and civic bodies can we hope to achieve lasting cleanliness and make our city a healthier, more liveable space for all.

Ravi Gupta