Congress leader Karti P. Chidambaram has urged the Tamil Nadu government, led by Chief Minister MK Stalin, to enhance Chennai’s waste management system. He suggested learning from Indore, which has been recognized as India’s cleanest city for seven years in a row.
Chidambaram Criticizes Chennai’s Waste Management
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Chidambaram criticized Chennai Corporation’s waste management efforts. He also questioned the effectiveness of its study tours abroad.
“Can the @chennaicorp name one learning & implementation of a practice from any of the previous study tours? Poor garbage management, street dogs & cattle, broken sidewalks & potholed roads is the hallmark of Chennai. Visit Indore to start with.”
His remarks were in response to reports stating that Chennai officials would visit Europe in May to study waste management techniques. The World Bank is supporting this initiative, which includes a visit to Barcelona to analyze advanced waste disposal systems.
Indore: A Model for Clean Cities in India
Indore has consistently ranked as India’s cleanest city due to its efficient waste management strategies. These include:
- 100% waste segregation at the source
- Door-to-door garbage collection
- Well-managed landfill sites and recycling initiatives
- Strong community participation in cleanliness programs
Chennai’s Waste Segregation Challenges
A 2024 study by SRM Institute of Science and Technology and Pondicherry University highlighted major issues in Chennai’s waste management. The findings revealed that 80% of households practice waste segregation. However, 77% of this waste gets mixed before reaching landfill sites in Kodungaiyur and Perungudi. This inefficiency highlights the need for better waste disposal strategies.
Call for Action: Adopting Effective Domestic Models
Chidambaram’s remarks have sparked discussions on urban waste management in India. He emphasized that Tamil Nadu should adopt proven Indian models, such as Indore’s system, rather than relying on international study tours.
