In a significant step towards cleaner urban surroundings, Lucknow inaugurated a state-of-the-art Portable Compactor Transfer Station (PCTS) in the Akhilapur area of Jankipuram on Tuesday. This initiative aims to tackle the persistent issues of open dumping and scattered waste while promoting safer and more environmentally friendly waste handling.
Leadership Inaugurates Key Facility
The new station was officially opened by Finance and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Suresh Khanna, with Mayor Sushma Kharakwal attending as the special guest. The event marks a pivotal move in the city's strategy to overhaul its solid waste management infrastructure and present a cleaner face to the nation.
Technical Specifications and Operational Model
The newly commissioned unit is equipped with two high-capacity portable compactors designed for segregated waste collection. One compactor is dedicated to wet waste and the other to dry waste. Each unit boasts a substantial capacity of 20 cubic metres and can hold between 15 to 16 metric tonnes of waste.
For the efficient transportation of these compactors, the authorities have deployed a robust 35 GVW Bharat Benz hook loader. The entire operation is being executed under a public-private partnership (PPP) model, where a private company will manage waste collection and processing across five municipal zones in the city.
City-Wide Rollout and Swachh Bharat Goals
This station is part of a larger city-wide plan. Authorities have proposed installing 32 PCTS facilities across Lucknow. With the launch of the Akhilapur unit, the number of commissioned stations has reached 13. The remaining stations are slated for completion and commissioning by early 2026.
Mayor Sushma Kharakwal emphasized that such technological upgrades in waste management are crucial for strengthening Lucknow's performance in the upcoming Swachh Bharat Survekshan (Clean India Survey). The centralized, compacted system is expected to directly address key survey parameters by preventing waste scattering, limiting access for stray animals, and ensuring hygienic storage and transport.
The introduction of the PCTS is a concrete step towards transforming Lucknow's waste management landscape, promising residents cleaner neighbourhoods and a more sustainable urban environment.
