Inadequate waste management has far-reaching consequences and poses a serious threat not only to the environment but also to public health. In recent years, all three states have faced the wrath of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) for unscientific disposal of waste.
Himachal is not treating even half of the sewage generated in the state. 116 million liters per day (MLD) of sewage is generated, only 51 mld As per the information shared by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, the treatment being done is 43.96% of the total generation. Rajya Sabha, The neighboring state of Haryana manages to treat 1,284 MLD of sewage out of 1,816 MLD (70.70%) generated across the state. Similarly, in Punjab, about 30% of sewage remains untreated. Out of 1,889 MLD, 1360 MLD is treated in Punjab.
In Himachal, 886 metric tonnes of municipal waste is generated per day (MT/D), of which 61% remains untreated. In Haryana, about 30% of the 5,530 MT/d of waste is dumped without being processed. Both the states also failed to match the national average of 76.41%. Punjab claims to process 90% of its 3,582 MT/d municipal waste at various plants in the state.
Punjab has the highest number of landfill sites used for disposal of waste materials, with a total number of 69 across the state. In comparison, Haryana has 13 landfill sites while Himachal has 1.
The ministry pointed out that since sanitation is a state subject, it is the responsibility of the urban local bodies to plan, design and implement sanitation projects in their respective areas.
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), however, complements the efforts of ULBs in providing solid waste and sewerage infrastructure for door-to-door collection of solid waste and for transportation of segregated waste collected from source premises to respective processing facilities. It also provides financial assistance to ULBs for setting up waste processing facilities and remediation of legacy dumpsites.
The Union Ministry also provides assistance for STPs as well as drinking water supply and sewerage networks for cities with a population of more than one lakh under the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation. Under the Swachh Bharat Mission, the central government aims to make all cities garbage-free by 2026.