Public participation essential for clean and sustainable urban development: PWD Minister

·        State-level solid waste management initiative launched under Project Circular Bharat

Urban Development and Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh today inaugurated a one-day state-level capacity-building programme under Project Circular Bharat, jointly organized by the Urban Development Department and Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL).

The Minister said that the programme aims to strengthen the capacity of elected representatives and officials of Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) to effectively implement the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026. It also seeks to make waste management systems more efficient, inclusive and environmentally friendly.

He further said that public participation, effective awareness campaigns and segregation of waste at source were essential to address the growing problem of waste in urban areas. He said that the success of any initiative depended on the active involvement and commitment of all stakeholders at the grassroots level.

PWD Minister stressed the need to respect, support and empower sanitation workers. He also highlighted the importance of changing public behaviour and developing the habit of separating wet and dry waste at the household and community levels.

He said that the limited availability of land for waste disposal was a major challenge in urban areas. To address this issue, he called for long-term planning that takes into account the needs of the next 20 to 25 years. He emphasized the need to adopt modern technologies and promote the reuse and recycling of waste. He also highlighted the potential for better utilization of plastic waste.

He stressed the need of launching pilot projects in selected areas under the initiative, with the support of Hindustan Unilever Limited and other concerned organisations. He said that this would help develop effective working models that could be expanded based on their results.

Director, Urban Development, Neeraj Kumar outlined the objectives of the programme. He said the initiative aims to strengthen the leadership and institutional capacity of Urban Local Bodies, encourage practical waste management solutions and ensure active citizen participation.

He said that the programme will focus on waste segregation at source, collection and transportation, processing, behaviour change, resource recovery, recycling and the effective operation of Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs).

Under Project Circular Bharat, technical expertise in the areas of the circular economy and resource recovery will be provided. The initiative will also include assessments of training needs, capacity-building workshops, technical support and better coordination among various stakeholders.

Special emphasis will be placed on reducing waste generation, segregating waste at source, improving collection and processing systems, recovering resources, promoting recycling and making better use of existing waste management infrastructure.

Mayor Municipal Corporation Shimla Surinder Chauhan, Executive Director of Hindustan Unilever Limited B. P. Bidappa, representatives and officials of Urban Local Bodies, officers of the Urban Development Department and representatives of Feedback Foundation were also present on the occasion.