February: Tirupati Municipal Corporation has emerged as a leader in the Swachh Survekshan 2023 rankings, securing the 8th spot among the cleanest cities in India with a population of over 1 lakh. The city’s commitment to cleanliness is further underscored by its 5-star Garbage Free City (GFC) and Water plus rating, solidifying its position as the cleanest state capital in the nation.
Tirupati, housing the largest Urban Local Body (ULB) in Andhra Pradesh’s Chittoor district, has prioritized robust waste management, demonstrating its dedication to maintaining cleanliness. The city generates approximately 115 Tons Per Day (TPD) of Wet Waste, 15 TPD of Food Waste, 61 TPD of Dry Waste & Recyclables, 1 TPD of Domestic Hazardous Waste, 2 TPD of Plastic Waste, and an additional 25 Tons per day of Construction and Demolition waste.
The Tirupati Municipal Corporation has implemented a comprehensive waste management strategy, employing nearly 1000 sanitation workers dedicated to ensuring sanitation services. The city boasts a 100% door-to-door waste collection rate, providing essential infrastructure such as Ghanta Gaddis and auto tippers for segregating Plastic and Non-Plastic waste at every gate.
An Online Waste Management System (OWMS) with RFID technology ensures real-time tracking of door-to-door waste collection. This, combined with continuous monitoring and dedicated sanitation efforts, has contributed to the city’s successful 100% collection rate from all gates. With 238 identified transfer points, Tirupati allocates 57 vehicles for secondary collection.
Decentralized waste processing plays a crucial role in Tirupati’s waste management strategy, reducing the burden on centralized plants and minimizing transportation costs. The city focuses on processing wet waste in markets and gardens, where significant quantities of organic waste are generated. With 6 decentralized waste processing facilities and 3 Bio Chest machines, Tirupati ensures efficient waste management.
Tirupati Municipal Corporation identifies and classifies 27 bulk waste generators producing over 100 Kgs daily and 60 generators producing 50-100 Kgs daily. A centralized facility at Thukivakam serves as a material recovery facility, systematically segregating recyclable and non-recyclable items. Recyclable materials are sold to relevant recycling entities, while others undergo co-processing in cement factories’ kilns.
Efficient plastic waste management is a priority for Tirupati, generating 2 TPD of plastic waste daily. The Plastic Waste Management Facility at Thukivakam, with a capacity to handle 5 tons per day, focuses on low-grade plastic. A permanent shed is being constructed to enhance plastic waste processing, aiming to extract more value from plastic waste.
In a unique approach to recycling plastic waste, Tirupati has introduced a Washing Plant and an Agglomerator Machine (Dhana Machinery), selling 263.29 tons of plastic granules over the year.
The Bio-methanation plant at the Bio Green City Waste Management facility converts 50 TPD of organic waste into bio-methane gas. The plant produces quality compost for agriculture, and the generated bio-gas is sold for cooking, energy, and vehicle fuel. Tirupati’s commitment to waste management is further evident in its construction and demolition waste management facility, producing raw materials for various purposes.
The successful remediation of the Ramapuram dumpsite, previously burdened with 2 lakh tonnes of waste, showcases Tirupati’s dedication to effective waste management. An additional 25.65 acres of land have been reclaimed, emphasizing the city’s vision for inclusive sanitation and citizen awareness. Tirupati stands as a pioneering city in the Swachhata initiative, setting an example for effective waste management and sustainable urban living.