Why India Needs Government Support to Manage Waste?

Waste problems are becoming critical day by day and thus it becomes imperative to adopt better technologies for its treatment and disposal. In the absence of any concrete solution, open garbage dumping is leading to generation of GHGs and pollution of ground as well as surface water resources. Waste to Energy (WtE) can be a good option as these projects scientifically dispose considerable amount of garbage and the energy generation becomes an additional advantage. However, the positive attributes of generating electricity from these energy sources cannot be commercially competitive with the projects based on conventional fuels, as WtE projects require huge investment and O&M costs leading to higher cost of power generation. Further, the revenue streams from sale of power are also not sufficient to cover up the cost and provide sufficient returns. Worldwide many countries have made firm policies to support WtE industry for the effective management of municipal solid waste. But, in India, absence of suitable policies is making WtE industry financially unviable. This paper seeks to establish necessity of Government support for sustainable WtE Projects in India.