Andhra Pradesh yet to set up C&D waste recycling plants

Visakhapatnam: Construction and demolition (C&D) waste is being generated at a rapid pace in major cities of Andhra Pradesh because of urban development initiatives.

Inadequate and insufficient facilities to recycle and properly dispose this has not only affected the environment adversely but is also leading to wastage of natural resources and money.

Vizag generates about 80 metric tonnes of C&D waste daily. Vijayawada produces about 70 metric tonne and Tirupati 55 metric tonne daily, according to Swachha Andhra Corporation monitoring the C&D project in the state. In the absence of proper monitoring by local bodies, the waste is generally seen dumped at water bodies, low-lying areas or on the city outskirts illegally.

In 2012, the ministry of Urban Development issued a circular directing the states to set-up C&D waste recycle plant in cities with a population of over 10 lakh. Officials at the local municipal office, however, claimed that was simply a guideline and not mandatory.

A separate rule related to C&D waste management was framed in March this year by the ministry of environment and forest asking local civic bodies to comply with it.

“We are looking out to set up plant through PPP mode at Vizag and the capital region. Some private players have shown interest in it. We are working on it to ensure a recycle plant by the end of the next year,” said Swachha Andhra Corporation COO K. Suresh Babu.

Setting up the plant in Vijayawada may not be easy since the local municipal body has not been able to acquire even permanent land for regular waste disposal. The Jindal waste-to-energy plant planned to set up for disposing the municipal waste is still on paper.  

Environmentalist and former bureaucrat E.A.S. Sarma said, “We can see the concrete waste being dumped near Sagar Nagar, Bheemili and on the shore in Vizag. It would not only pollute the marine eco-system but also affect the groundwater. Various problems such as land shortage, disposal problems, flash floods will appear in future due to the dumping of the C&D wastes haphazardly. An extensive study should be taken up to find out what percentage of the C&D waste could be recycled and put to use before setting up such plant.”