Baswar, receptacle of Prayagraj’s waste

The village, located 10 kilometres from the sacred city, handles its often-gargantuan amounts of waste
Baswar, the receptacle of Prayagraj’s waste
Waste being loaded onto a truck at the Baswar landfill near PrayagrajPhoto: Vikas Choudhary/CSE
Published on

Prayagraj, formerly Allahabad, is a prominent city in northern India. A sacred city in Hinduism, Prayagraj is well-known for being one of four centres of the Kumbh Mela, when devotees take a dip in the Ganga on the banks of which the city is located.

Baswar, the receptacle of Prayagraj’s waste
Waste being processed in BaswarPhoto: Vikas Choudhary/CSE

The city hosted the Kumbh Mela in 2019 and the Maha Kumbh this year. Most of its waste goes into the landfill is Baswar village located 10 kilometres from it.

Baswar, the receptacle of Prayagraj’s waste
Photo: Vikas Choudhary/CSE

In 2019, the Kumbh Mela generated more than 2,000 tonnes of unsegregated solid waste, which was dumped at Baswar’s only solid waste treatment plant.

Baswar, the receptacle of Prayagraj’s waste
Photo: Vikas Choudhary/CSE

Last month, the Prayagraj Municipal Corporation unveiled a modern scientific landfill in an area of 40,000 square metres in Baswar in an effort to make the city’s waste disposal and management more effective.

Baswar, the receptacle of Prayagraj’s waste
Photo: Vikas Choudhary/CSE

The new landfill is more effective, safe and environmentally friendly than traditional waste disposal methods, according to municipal officials.

Down To Earth
www.downtoearth.org.in