Minister calls for a holistic, integrated and sustainable waste management system in the country

Expressing concern over the quantum of waste produced every year from construction and demolition (C&D) activities Union Minister of State for Urban Development Smt Deepa Dasmunshi has called for a holistic, integrated and sustainable waste management system in the country. Inaugurating a two day symposium on Technology & Equipments for Construction & Demolition Waste Recycling in association with ICI in New Delhi, the minister said, the plan should also target for waste diversion and recycling through implementation of new policies, information technologies, awareness and waste management facilities. Recycling of aggregate materials from construction and demolition waste can turn the otherwise waste materials into usable products and help in the conservation of natural resources for future generations as well as for the sustainable development of the society, Smt Dasmunshi added. 

Speaking on the occasion, Secretary, Urban Development Shri Sudhir Krishna underlined the need for a regulatory framework so that the issue of C&D waste is addressed in a systematic approach. To exploit the full potential of C&D waste Shri Krishna said, his ministry is implementing incentive schemes and promoting R&D so that the waste generated from these C&D activities can be used as raw materials for generating economic resources. In addition to this, the Ministry of Urban Development also acts as an intermediary by formulating policy guidelines and providing technical assistance to the states and cities for implementation of waste management projects. 

The Symposium witnessed participation from eminent experts, technology providers and equipment manufacturers. A range of topics covered in the symposium include management of C&D waste, process of recycling concrete pavements, washing equipments, on site crushing, mobile plants, robotic demolition etc.