WASTED’ (Continuation of my previous article; Not in my Backyard) The dreary and depressive ‘party hall’ of the C Block Club with a few chairs carelessly strewn about, was the venue.
RWA members ghost like, trickled in one by one, some ungroomed, some with hair dishevelled, upset about the meet being held so early (10am) in the morning. The occasion? The Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Municipal Corporation (MCD) Central Zone was visiting Def Col to invigorate the non-existent Solid Waste Management (SWM) here; with the RWAs of A & C Block Associations jointly participating in this session.
Notably, EC members in charge of SWM in the C Block Association were conspicuous by their absence. Although the RWAs had been informed in advance that the DC’s visit pertained ONLY to discussing SWM in the colony, the Secretary C Block Association, without as much as formal introduction, launched reading a lengthy admonishment on MCD’s inaction in civic matters, oblivious that the DC was waiting to address the Associations; While the DC shuffled uncomfortably at the monotonous never ending monologue, the Secretary raised every conceivable issue plaguing Def Col, EXCEPT waste management; presumably the RWA believed SWM is functioning perfectly well, and nothing needs to be done about it.
However, the reason for DC’s visit was clear, to discuss the emblematic SWM in Def Col with residents, and to build a scientific waste management system in the colony. The RWA members listened in stupefaction, their expressions difficult to discern, was it ignoramus boredom, acquiescence or concurrence?
It is indeed, a matter of great regret Def Col as an affluent South Delhi residential destination, has failed to implement Solid Waste Management (SWM) in the colony. Since the RWA and MCD made no effort to implement the Rules, a group of altruistic residents in year 2018 conducted an IEC (Information Education Communication) program to sensitize the colony on Waste Segregation at Source (WSAS). The program was a great success, ironically though, it was sabotaged by the last RWA & MCD Councillor spouse, who due to their own insecurities felt their authority was being undermined. Consequently, they jointly launched a vitriolic & violent attack on the volunteers, to prevent the IEC program from progressing. The effect of that sabotage is felt today, when the EC members didn’t seem to have a clue on what WSAS is, or how to manage SWM in a scientific & sustainable manner.
The meeting ended with the departure of the DC without reaching a conclusion or proposing an action plan. It was just another non sequitur given the indifference and lack of understanding of RWAs to this crucial aspect of urban sustainability.
It isn’t difficult to prognosticate that Def Col will continue to dispatch mixed waste to the Waste to Energy Plant for incineration, in a business-as-usual manner. Similarly, MCD will continue its ephemeral feeble overtures to the Def Col community to implement SWM in the colony. Meanwhile, all is good with the Waste (mis)Management in Defence Colony!! Rajeev Suri 26.07.2022
