Mumbai: A CAG audit has raised concerns about the state of solid waste management in the state. Highlighting major lapses in waste disposal, segregation, and processing by urban local bodies (ULBs) across Maharashtra, it reveals severe environmental and health risks. It found that 26 ULBs failed to develop sanitary landfills, leading to 33.9 lakh ton of waste being dumped in open sites (between 2016-17 and 2021-22), 13 ULBs did not plan for biomining, bioremediation, or scientific capping of open dump sites, contributing to soil and water pollution and 23 failed to achieve 100% waste segregation at source, with one ULB not segregating waste at all. The report also revealed that 34 ULBs collected biomedical waste mixed with regular municipal waste, posing severe health hazards (see graphic for details).
On Mumbai, the report said that BMC failed to implement biomedical waste segregation and safe disposal practices. Discrepancies were found between data provided by the Director, Swachh Maharashtra Mission, and field verification results. The audit also discovered open burning of waste, a major public health risk. CAG consulted Professor Shyam R Asolekar of IIT Bombay, who stressed upon the need for better waste segregation and processing infrastructure.
The audit has recommended a series of measures: authorities should prepare a comprehensive policy and strategy for waste management with a focus on minimizing waste generation; ULBs must develop holistic detailed project reports, levy user charges, and improve waste collection efficiency; steps should be taken to ensure the installation of weighbridges for accurate waste measurement, while greater emphasis should be placed on waste segregation at source through awareness campaigns and improved collection systems; proper disposal arrangements for biomedical waste should be ensured through collaboration with common bio-medical waste treatment facilities.