Centre to roll out special programme for remediation of 44% of legacy waste within a year

NEW DELHI: With less than a year remaining to meet its target of zero dumpsites , the Union govt will roll out a special programme on August 15 for the remediation of 44% of legacy waste in urban areas within a year.

The Centre will also provide incentive to states and cities to set up more solid waste treatment plants .

Speaking at an event on Swachh Survekshan , housing and urban affairs minister Manohar Lal Khattar said remediation of legacy waste in big cities is a huge challenge. “We will roll out a special Accelerated Dumpsite Remediation Programme for one year starting Aug 15. The focus will be on reducing the legacy waste and increasing the waste processing capacity . There will be incentive for setting up solid waste treatment plants under this programme,” he said.

Sources said the details of the scheme are being worked out, with the ministry receiving feedback from state urban development ministers on Thursday.

At the launch of Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0 in 2021, the govt had set a target of making cities free of all legacy landfills by 2026. Around 50% of land under legacy dumpsites has been freed so far, Khattar said.