Delhi resident groups report post-Diwali waste in inner lanes, markets

Firecracker debris and delivery packaging remained scattered in inner lanes in parts of Delhi a day after Diwali, with resident representatives saying waste lifting had not kept pace with sweeping.

Delhi typically generates about 13,500 tonnes of waste a day. The MCD said the volume rises by 15-20% during major festivals. Atul Goyal of Urja, an umbrella body of resident welfare associations, said residential areas had seen few sweepers and that cracker debris and packaging had accumulated.

In north Delhi, Ashok Bhasin of the North Delhi Residents’ Welfare Association said main roads had been cleaned, but inner lanes remained littered. BS Vohra of the East Delhi RWA Joint Front said residents in trans-Yamuna areas had reported heaps of waste. Streets had been swept in some places, he said, but the waste had not been lifted.

Resident representatives also said Sarojini Nagar market required intervention to get garbage removed, while Greater Kailash markets were relatively better cleared.

The MCD said zonal sanitation and waste-management teams had been deployed to sweep streets, lift municipal solid waste and clear dhalaos. It said it would quantify the additional waste generated during Diwali by Wednesday evening.