Jajpur Launches Revolutionary SHG Managed Battery Operated Vehicles For Solid Waste Management

Jajpur: In a significant development that will help achieve Sustainable Development Goals, Jajpur block has launched battery-operated vehicles for door-to-door collection of solid waste managed by Self Help Groups to ensure safe sanitation, solid and liquid waste management for rural areas of Jajpur block. This is a first of its kind project from Jajpur Block that will implement a scientific garbage disposal system. “Garbage collection in these areas will follow a door-to-door model, similar to in cities. Through CSR initiative, the project is supported by Atha Group along with the technical partner UNICEF, AIIMS Bhubaneswar, and UNDP to establish a sustainable community-led approach for solid and liquid waste management, integrated plastic waste management, efficient recycling in the district. The systematic approach will also address better social security measures, job creation and impact livelihoods for women self help group members.

This model of evidence-based operation is divided into three levels, viz. villages, Gram Panchayats and Urban MRF. The project is envisioned to promote a sustainable circular economic paradigm in the district within the project’s life span of four years. The UNDP will provide technical support to Jajpur District Administration to build crucial forward linkages in the recycling strategy and bring inclusive growth to all stakeholders in the waste management ecosystem, monitored by a Project Steering Committee. The program’s objective is to facilitate a decentralized approach of operation at the block-GP-Village level through an alignment with ULBs to promote and strengthen local entrepreneurs (recyclers) to encourage waste recycling and develop markets for recycled materials demonstrating a circular economy. The UNDP will also provide administrative and technical support in establishing the system thinking approach for waste management in urban and rural areas to ensure inclusive growth for waste pickers in the MRF by linking them to social project schemes. Similarly, to create awareness on sustainable practices for plastic waste management among citizens and other significant stakeholders through IEC activities including monitoring and evaluation of waste collection and disposal.

On this occasion, Sourav Chakrabarty, BDO Jajpur, said “We are happy to join hands with UNICEF and UNDP towards our vision to develop Jajpur block as India’s first block to achieve 100 % door to door collection. Similarly, this block will be plastic-free district, processed at the existing Micro Composting Centre and Material Recovery Facility. Women Self-Help Groups will operate the battery-operated vehicles. Jajpur is poised to be a fertile ground for innovations directed at solid and liquid waste management and plastic waste recycling and reuse strategies for a robust circular economy. This partnership is the latest in a string of strategic alliances with UN agencies to bring the best development practices to Jajpur. Recently, the District Administration had formalized an agreement with UN-Habitat to develop a data-driven and evidence-based, green, low-carbon urban infrastructure in the district.

The project will help the district make significant advances towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and bring globally acclaimed rural Solid and liquid waste management development models to Jajpur while adding to its citizens’ prosperity and quality of life.