The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has partnered with World Resources Institute (WRI) India to survey and identify major waste burning hotspots in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR). This initiative aims to pinpoint the specific locations where municipal solid waste (MSW) is being burned, which is a significant contributor to the region’s severe air pollution.
The Invisible Problem
According to CAQM scientist Vikas Singh, while the overall impact of MSW burning on PM2.5 emissions is known, the exact locations of these burning sites, aside from landfill dumps, remain a mystery. The survey aims to fill this data gap, which will enable authorities to develop a targeted mitigation plan. The long-term strategy involves improving door-to-door waste collection and implementing better waste segregation practices.
A Coordinated Effort
WRI India will form teams to survey four cities: Delhi, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Bhiwadi. The survey is expected to be completed within a year, with the results to be shared with the CAQM by next winter. Sree Kumar Kumaraswamy, WRI India’s program director, noted that a better understanding of these hotspots will help in tackling air pollution, which can travel long distances from combustion sources. The survey will also identify “leakages” in the waste management system, where waste is being illegally dumped and burned before it can reach designated processing plants or landfills.