The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has joined forces with the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi) to revamp the capital's waste management system. This initiative, driven by scientific planning, technology, and citizen involvement, comes as Delhi struggles with mounting garbage and overflowing landfills.
Comprehensive Waste Management Plan
Under this collaboration, IIT Delhi will develop a citywide and ward-level solid waste management plan aligned with the Solid Waste Management (SWM) Rules, 2026. The goal is to achieve 'zero waste to landfill.' Delhi currently generates approximately 12,500 tonnes of municipal solid waste daily, but existing processing infrastructure is insufficient, officials noted.
Focus on SWM Rules 2026
The partnership gains significance as the SWM Rules, 2026, mandate four-stream source segregation, scientific waste processing, decentralized systems, and stricter accountability for bulk waste generators (BWGs). MCD Commissioner Sanjeev Khirwar emphasized that landfills can no longer be the primary solution. 'This collaboration marks a shift towards sustainable waste management,' he said.
Key Objectives
- Ensure segregation at source and decentralized processing.
- Maximize reduction of waste reaching landfills.
- Build a transparent, accountable system involving citizens, RWAs, BWGs, and sanitation workers.
Project Details
The project will run for six months initially, with monitoring extending up to a year. The estimated cost is Rs 1.94 crore, covering surveys, stakeholder engagement, technology facilitation, training, and overheads. IIT Delhi will conduct GIS-based mapping of waste generation, assess infrastructure gaps, and recommend suitable collection and processing systems.
Additional Initiatives
IIT Delhi will also frame standard operating procedures, develop digital monitoring systems, and design frameworks for third-party audits of BWGs and decentralized facilities. Officials estimate that nearly 30% of Delhi's municipal waste could be processed at the source under this framework.
Stakeholder Engagement
The project emphasizes stakeholder engagement and capacity building. It involves municipal officials, sanitation workers, RWAs, concessionaires, waste pickers, schools, and colleges. Awareness campaigns, IEC materials, youth programs, and innovation hackathons will promote sustainable practices and citizen participation.
