Chapter VIII, Solid Waste Management
The Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority issued Chapter VIII, Solid Waste Management, as planning guidance for managing waste across the Chennai Metropolitan Area. It recommends source segregation, composting, recycling, decentralised sanitary landfills, safe facilities for e-waste and construction debris, and restrictions on residential and commercial development near landfill sites. Property owners and developers may be affected because waste management requirements for new houses, apartments, commercial complexes and industries are incorporated into the Development Regulations in Volume II.
What the chapter covers
Chapter VIII, Solid Waste Management, addresses domestic and commercial waste, industrial waste, hospital waste, e-waste and construction debris across the Chennai Metropolitan Area. It records that Chennai had landfill sites at Kodungaiyur and Perungudi, both of which were overloaded and causing health and environmental problems. It also notes that eight of the 16 municipal bodies in the metropolitan area had no designated disposal facilities.
The chapter estimates total daily generation at 4,248 tonnes of residential, commercial and hospital waste, in addition to 10 tonnes of e-waste and 550 tonnes of construction debris. It projects that local body areas in the Chennai Metropolitan Area, including Chennai City, would generate about 6,590 tonnes of solid waste by 2026.
Who is responsible
Solid waste management is identified as an obligatory function of Municipal Corporations, Municipalities, Town Panchayats and village local bodies. The Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board is responsible for enforcing the listed municipal solid waste and hospital waste rules within the Chennai Metropolitan Area.
Resident associations, non-government organisations and private operators are also expected to participate in collection, segregation, composting, recycling, transport and final disposal. Local bodies may collect a levy from bulk garbage generators such as hotels, marriage halls, markets and commercial complexes under the Polluters Pay principle.
Main policies and proposals
The Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority chapter recommends:
- Strict enforcement of applicable solid waste management requirements.
- Environmental assessment and improvement of existing landfill sites.
- Segregation of waste at its source.
- Local and neighbourhood composting and recycling to reduce landfill use.
- Decentralised sanitary landfill facilities shared by local bodies.
- Safe recycling facilities for e-waste and construction debris.
- Decentralised waste-to-energy plants using proven technologies.
- Education and awareness programmes for children, youth and other citizens.
- Stronger technical, financial, monitoring and management skills in local bodies.
Relevance to property and development
The plan identifies existing and proposed landfill sites and provides for restrictions on residential and commercial development in their neighbourhoods. The supplied text does not give the locations of proposed sites or the exact extent of those restrictions.
The plan also identifies solid waste management parameters for new houses, apartments, commercial complexes and industries. Those parameters are stated to be incorporated into the Development Regulations in Volume II.
Monitoring
A Shelter and Infrastructure Committee, representing government and non-government stakeholders and experts, is proposed to monitor implementation. The committee is to meet at least once every three months and may create specialist working groups.
This summary is generated from the source document to help you find what is relevant. The PDF above is authoritative. For advice on your own property, use LandLens One or speak to a qualified professional.
Common questions
Could a property near a landfill face development restrictions?
Yes. The plan provides for restrictions on residential and commercial activities near existing and proposed landfill sites, but the supplied text does not state the locations or exact limits of those restrictions.
Do new apartments and commercial buildings have waste management requirements?
Yes. The plan identifies solid waste management parameters for new houses, apartments, commercial complexes and industries, and states that they are incorporated into the Development Regulations in Volume II.
Can a local body charge a hotel or marriage hall for bulk waste?
The chapter says local bodies can collect a levy from bulk garbage generators, including hotels, marriage halls, markets and commercial complexes, under the Polluters Pay principle.
Which authority enforces waste rules in the Chennai Metropolitan Area?
The Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board is identified as responsible for enforcing the listed municipal solid waste and hospital waste rules within the Chennai Metropolitan Area.
