Recent Trends in Municipal Solid Waste Management in Patna, A Review

Abstract

Patna, the capital city of Bihar has registered considerable growth in recent years and a significant rise in population. Rising trends in the density of the population of the town; economic growth of the city; and increasing consumerism have led to the problem of increasing municipal solid waste generation in Patna. In the present scenario with rising trends of development and urbanisation, increased usage of electronic items and plastics has aggravated the problem of treatment of solid waste. Increasing waste generation is a serious issue, if it is not managed properly, it creates a serious threat to the environment, ecology and health of human beings. The present study attempts to analyse the status of waste generation and municipal solid waste management in the town. It attempts to examine the existing waste collection system and the waste disposal practices in the town. The study is based on secondary data. The paper analyses the challenges faced in the field of solid waste management and the prospects of opportunities that have not been explored yet in this area. The role of households and municipal corporations in Solid Waste Management is discussed. Based on the study made in Patna town suggestions are recommended for the betterment of the existing SWM system.