Date:22/10/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/22/stories/2008102260360300.htm

New Delhi

Spanish Ambassador takes tips on solid waste management from Delhi Mayor

Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI: A delegation of the Municipal Corporation of Madrid led by the Ambassador of Spain, Lon de la Riva, called on Delhi Mayor Arti Mehra in her chamber at Town Hall here on Tuesday to discuss issues of solid waste management.

MCD House leader Subhash Arya and MCD Standing Committee chairman Vijender Gupta were also present on the occasion.

The Spanish delegation included Director-General (Water) Pedro Catalinas, Director-General (Urban Environment Management) Fatima Nunez and Director-General (International Strategy and Development) Bonifacio Vega.

Ms. Mehra while discussing details of solid waste management in the Capital informed the visitors that Delhi’s population at present was over 16 million and about 7,600 metric tonnes of solid waste was collected daily and disposed of at various sanitary landfill sites in addition to compost plants and treatment plants.

Engineered landfill sites

She also informed them that the MCD was planning to develop engineered landfill sites for disposal of solid waste apart from setting up plants for generation of energy from solid waste.

Giving details about Madrid, Mr. Riva said the city’s population was six million and 4,600 metric tonnes of segregated garbage was collected daily from the city and then disposed of at landfill sites.

He said that 4.6 per cent of the total electricity consumption of the city was produced from garbage and the city also had methane extraction plants.

Heaping praise on Delhi, Mr. Riva said he was very pleased to observe the greenery here from atop the Maurya Sheraton Hotel where he was staying.