Punjab local bodies minister Navjot Singh Sidhu on Tuesday visited various sewage treatment plants in Delhi, to replicate their technology in Punjab.
In a statement, Sidhu alleged the previous government had befooled the people living in urban areas in the name of establishing solid waste management projects, which remained mere announcements. The minister, who promised a permanent and fool-proof mechanism for solid waste management, saw presentations of various agencies. Besides suggestions on short-term and long-term projects equipped with latest technology, he also gathered knowledge about ultra-modern suction machines to open blocked sewers.
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Sidhu said emphasis would be on establishing plants to manufacture green coal (used in cement plants), compost manure and plastic granules as part of short-term projects and biogas and electricity as part of long-term projects. “The initial focus would be on short-term projects to provide immediate relief to the people,” he said.
The minister said he had instructed the department officials to seek detailed reports regarding the technical know-how, which would be placed before the chief minister for approval. Secretary, local bodies, JM Balamurugan and director Kamal Kishore Yadav also accompanied Sidhu.