NAGPUR’S MIDC Hingna industrial estate, playing a pivotal role in fostering business and generating huge employment, is now grappling with mounting garbage crisis that poses serious health hazards to workers, commuters and residents in the area. Raising voice against the issue, P Mohan, President of MIDC Industries Association (MIA), said that the garbage dumping is a long pending issue that requires immediate action. “The concerned authority should stop garbage dumping in Hingna MIDC area,” he said. P Mohan further said that the Government should take strict action against those who are dumping garbage on public utility land and open plots in Hingna MIDC. “Absence of an effective waste management system has turned Hingna MIDC into a dumping ground. Vacant plots have become unofficial garbage sites where household waste, eatery leftovers, and other waste are dumped indiscriminately,” he pointed out.

 

The situation worsens during the monsoon season when rainwater mixes with decomposing waste, resulting in unbearable odors, water contamination, and an increased risk of diseases. These conditions not only pose serious health hazards to workers and residents but also tarnish the reputation of Hingna MIDC as an industrial zone capable of attracting investment and fostering growth. However, the glaring indifference of local governing bodies, particularly the Nagar Panchayats, has allowed the garbage disposal problem in Hingna MIDC to escalate. Garbage management in the estate is primarily the responsibility of the local Nagar Panchayats. “Yet, their lack of proactive measures and the absence of designated waste disposal zones have led to a chaotic situation where garbage is dumped wherever a vacant space is available,” he said. P Mohan highlighted that garbage dumping in Hingna MIDC requires a multi-pronged and collaborative approach that can help restore cleanliness and order in the estate. He suggested that local authorities, including MIDC, Nagar Panchayats, and Zilla Parishad, must work together with industrial units and residents to create and implement a sustainable waste management system.

 

Further, allocating specific areas for garbage disposal, located away from residential and industrial zones, will centralise waste management and prevent the random dumping of garbage. These zones should be equipped with proper infrastructure for sorting, segregation, and disposal of waste. A competent waste management agency should be appointed to handle garbage collection, segregation, and treatment.This agency should be provided with adequate funding and incentives to ensure the successful execution of waste management operations. The local authorities should strictly enforce penalties for illegal dumping and implement regular inspections to monitor compliance with waste disposal regulations. Awareness campaigns targeting industrialists and residents can help promote responsible waste disposal practices. Advanced waste treatment technologies, such as composting units for organic waste and recycling facilities for plastics and industrial by-products, can significantly reduce the environmental footprint. Adopting these technologies will not only help in waste management but also contribute to the estate’s sustainability goals.