70 lakh tonnes of garbage removal completed by October: Narayana

Rajahmundry: Minister Narayana said that around 7,000 tonnes of garbage are being generated across Andhra Pradesh every day.The minister visited Rajahmundry on Friday. Speaking on the occasion, he criticised the previous government for imposing a garbage tax on the people. He said that despite collecting the garbage tax, lakhs of tonnes of garbage had been left uncleared.Narayana said that the remaining 70 lakh tonnes of garbage in municipalities across the state would be completely removed by October.He said that it had been decided to establish 10 waste-to-energy plants during 2014–19. However, he criticised the previous Chief Minister for cancelling the proposed plants without understanding their importance.

The minister said that after the coalition government came to power, waste-to-energy plants were being established in Kadapa, Kurnool, Tirupati, Nellore, Vijayawada and Peddapuram.He said that once the waste-to-energy plant at Peddapuram is completed, the garbage generated in Rajahmundry will be transported there for processing.Meanwhile, fresh waste-processing plants are being established in 107 municipalities as part of efforts to improve waste management, he said. These plants are expected to be completed by the end of September, after which solid waste will be properly managed.The Chief Minister has said that elections should be held simultaneously for all municipalities in the state. Minister Narayana said that a decision on holding the elections would be taken after the court delivers its verdict on the issue of merged villages.