Decentralised Waste Processing Could Save BMC ₹1,485 Crore a Year

Quick Summary

• The Praja report highlights that decentralised waste processing could potentially save Rs 1,485 crore annually for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).
• Mumbai generated nearly 24.4 lakh metric tonnes of waste in 2024, with an average daily generation of approximately 6,656 metric tonnes (MT).
• Currently, each ward transports its waste an average distance of 20 km to landfills at a cost of Rs 8 per MT/km. Transport costs amount to rs 883 crore per year.
• Operations and maintenance costs at Kanjurmarg landfill are calculated at Rs 3,000 per MT. With a daily intake of around 5,500 MT (20.1 lakh MT annually), these costs total Rs 602 crore yearly.
• Combined transport and operations & maintenance costs amount to Rs 1,485 crore annually for the BMC; decentralised processing within wards could eliminate this expenditure.

indian Opinion analysis
The Praja report underlines significant inefficiencies in Mumbai’s current solid waste management system due to centralized landfill dependency and high transport and operational expenses. A shift to decentralised waste processing within individual wards presents an chance for considerable monetary savings while concurrently mitigating environmental impacts like carbon emissions related to transportation over long distances.

Implementing local treatment systems for solid waste would need infrastructural investments but could streamline processes by reducing logistical complexities and increasing accountability at the ward level-paving the way towards enduring urban practices in India’s largest metropolitan area. The analysis calls attention not just to potential financial benefits but also broader implications such as improved resource management and reduced strain on landfills.

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