Pathankot: Muncipal Solid Waste Management - Report

Salan Khalkho
Last Updated: 16 Nov, 2022

Pathankot generates 21 Metric Ton of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Per day. The city is spread over an area of 929 sq.km. with population density of 674 people per square kilometer. The waste segregation at the source stands at just about 85%. With 87.99% literacy rate, there is further scope for improvement.

Pathankot, has a population of approximately 147,875 (2011 Census). The average waste generated per person per day in Pathankot is 144 Gram. Pathankot produces 7665 tonnes of MSW (Municipal Solid Waste) per annum. Pathankot faces the problem of managing solid waste like any other city of India. Increased use of Color coded dustbins in Pathankot households and workplace can lead to more efficient waste management with increased waste segrigation at source. Every household in Pathankot should start to use Kitchen dustbins to keep dry and wet waste segrigated.

About Pathankot City

The city Pathankot is witnessing rapid pace of increase in population, economic growth, urbanization and industrialization. All of this is leading to solid waste generation at an accelerated rate in Pathankot. The waste generated in Pathankot region includes all kinds of waste such as biodegradable, non-biodegradable, construction, metal, plastic and other kinds of waste.

21 Metric Ton Soid Waste Generated Per Day in Pathankot

Pathankot, a city belonging to the State of Punjab is spread over an area of 929 sq.km. Improper management of solid waste in Pathankot poses risks to the environment and public health. Solid waste management (SWM) has emerged as one of the biggest challenges for Pathankot. Studies show that the unsafe disposal of waste generates dangerous gases and leachates. Therefore it is imperative that the 21 Metric Ton of waste generated Per day in Pathankot should be properly disposed in accordance with the 'Solid Waste Management Rules 2016'.

85% Segregation of waste at the point of generation in Pathankot

The main component of waste management is segregation of dry and wet waste. Waste segrigation plays key role in ensuring proper recovery, reuse and recycling of collected waste. In Pathankot, Waste segregation at the source is happening with just about 85% of the waste generated. Active participation of people from Pathankot region is key to the success of waste segrigation at source. Even though people are supposed to sort the waste, about 15% household from Pathankot don't segrigate the waste into dry and wet waste. Wet waste includes that of food leftovers, fruit and vegetable skin and other kinds of waste generated in the kitchen. Dry waste constitutes plastic, paper, glass and other items which do not decompose.

Biomedical waste in Pathankot

Most Pathankot hospitals have Color coded dustbins. However, their effective and planned use still remains a huge challange. Segregation of trash in Pathankot is important because mixing general municipal garbage with biomedical waste leads to added burden on the incinerators designed to handle biohazardous waste alone. Segregation of Biomedical Waste with the help of Bio Medical Waste Bin and Biomedical Sharp Container should be done. Disposable Sharps Containers for disposing biohazard waste is another better and safe solution for Hospitals in Pathankot. The liquid waste generated in hospitals, clinics and health care centers in Pathankot is disposed of in sewers. Medical liquid waste generated in Pathankot is highly infectious and pose serious health hazard to the lives of humans.

Pathankot's Landfill Sites Status

Growing popuation of Pathankot, means existing landfills won't be sufficient. If we talk about, entire Punjab, about 2384.82 Metric Tons of Solid Waste is sent to landfill sites everyday. In fact, Punjab generates 4338.37 Metric Tons of Waste everyday. Of this, only about 4278.86 Metric Tons of Waste is collected and just 1894.04 Metric Ton Per Day is treated. Ironicaly the waste collected is dumped together at the landfills. These are largely un-regulated and are hazardous to surrounding areas of Pathankot's Landfills Sites.

Density, Population and the Waste Generated in Pathankot City

The population density of Pathankot is 674 people per square kilometer (2011 Census). In context to the waste generation, it is important to know the density of any city because there is a direct link between the population density and the waste generated per day. The density of population is the ratio between the numbers of people to the size of land. It is usually measured in persons per sq.km. For example, the area of Pathankot Region is 929 sq km and the population is 147,875 persons (2011 Census). The density of population is calculated by dividing 147,875 (Pathankot popuation) by 929 sq km.

According to an estimate, it is found that household size is directly proportional to waste generation. As the household size increases, the waste generation will also increase. In other words, bigger the household size Pathankot city, the more waste will be generated in Pathankot.

Population Demography of Pathankot

Sex ratio of Pathankot depicts 907 females per 1000 males. The popuation of Pathankot in 2011 was 147,875, . Public attitude of Pathankot residents needs to be changed in proper waste handling and segregation. This will save the people of Pathankot city from several environmental and health related problems. With the growth in population, there will be growth in the generated waste aso. Pathankot city will have to bear the burden of handling additional waste in the days to come as the population grows.

Literacy Rate, Income and Waste Generated in Pathankot

Literacy Rate of Pathankot is 87.99%. A study conducted by the Population Foundation of India has found out that each year of education in India increases a person's average income by 6.7%. Income and waste generation are directly proportional to each other. As the income level increases, waste generation also increases. Increased literacy rate of Pathankot denotes increase in income level. However, it is observed that while segrigating the waste generation to biodegradable waste generation and plastic waste generation, High Income Grade is less in biodegradable waste generation than Low Income Grade. This explains the use and throw culture of High Income Grade population of Pathankot. Aso note that the per capita waste generation differs according to income, land use etc.

Management & Handling of MSW in Pathankot

The Pathankot Municipal Corporation is responsible for collection, transportation, treatment and disposal of Municipal Solid Waste generated.

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) and Pathankot

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed Punjab government to pay Rs2000Cr as fine according to the reports pubished on 24-Sep-22. The National Green Tribunal has imposed a penalty of over Rs 2,000 crore on the Punjab government for its failure to treat solid and liquid waste, leading to a huge gap in their generation and treatment.

How to Register as a Hazardous Waste Recycler in Pathankot?

Companies or businesses can register themselves as Hazardous Waste Recyclers in Gorakhpur by personally visiting and applying at the Regional office of the Pollution Control Board of Gorakhpur, that is the Punjab Pollution Control board. They can also apply online by visiting the website of the Regional Office of the Punjab Pollution Control board. From there you will need to collect and fill the application form and submit it along with essential information and details in accordance with the need to recycle Hazardous and other wastes. Part D of the form should be filled carefully and should be attested by the applicant’s signature before submitting. Also make sure all the documents are attached that are listed in “Required Documents” section of the form. The form has to be submitted to the District Environmental Engineer of Pathankot city for scrutiny and check. After this concerned engineer will inspect and examine the site.

Address to Register as Hazardous Waste Recycler in Pathankot

Punjab Pollution Control Board,
Vatavaran Bhawan,
Nabha Road,
Patiala.
Website: https://ppcb.punjab.gov.in/en/contact-us

How to Get an eWaste License for Pathankot city

eWaste License can be obtained from the Regional office of the Pollution Control Board of Gorakhpur. Obtaining eWaste License has become mandatory for every manufacturer, producer, consumer, bulk consumer, collection centers, dealers, e-retailer, refurbisher, dismantler and recycler. The E-Waste rules apply to you if you manufacture, sale, transfer, purchase, collect, store or process e-waste or electrical and electronic equipment listed in Schedule.

Disclaimer:
Facts and figures presented in this article are aggregated from various places and their authenticity is not checked or verified. We strongly disclaim any authenticity or correctness of the information available in this artice. The information presented in this article is not intended for any kind of administrative work, decision making purpose, academic purpose or to arrive at any conclusion. You are hereby advised to do your own due diligence and check the correctness of any information presented here.

References:
https://www.census2011.co.in
https://uidai.gov.in/images/state-wise-aadhaar-saturation.pdf
https://cpcb.nic.in/uploads/MSW/MSW_AnnualReport_2020-21.pdf
https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/punjab/national-green-tribunal-slaps-over-rs-2-000-crore-fine-on-punjab-for-failure-to-treat-waste-434577