1. International Conference on Waste Management for Sustainable Development,21-23 March, 2014,N.S.S.College of
Engineering(NSSCE),Palakkad,Kerala,India, organized by Dept. of Civil Engg., NSSCE: LaBISHaS,Govt. of Kerala & IEI
364
MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENTIN GWALIOR CITY, INDIA
Vaishali Sahu1
& Naveen.B.P2
1
Assistant Professor, ITM University, Gurgaon, Haryana
Email:vaishalisahu27@gmail.com
2
Research Scholar, Indian Institute of Science, 560012
Email: bpnaveen@civil.iisc.ernet.in
ABSTRACT
Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) management is one of the most vital issues in the
contemporary urban environments particularly in developing countries. Municipal solid
waste generation is continually increasing problem at global, local and regional levels.
MSW consists of putrescible and non-putresciblewaste materials generated by various
activities of the society. Unsafe disposal and improper management of solid wastes pollute
all the vital components of the living environment (i.e., air, land and water) at regional and
global levels. Solid waste management practices in the city of Gwalior (26°14’ N latitude
and 78°10’E longitudes ) in Madhya Pradesh were examined and an integrated solid waste
management plan is proposed based on the study results. The municipal area of the city is
177.3sq.km and is divided into 60 municipal wards and 20 sanitary zones. The total waste
generation in the city is found to be 283 ton/day, but the waste collected by Municipality is
about208 ton/day, which implies that almost 75-80 ton/day of solid waste generated
remains uncollected. The Municipal Corporation of Gwalior spends nearly 50% of its total
expenditures on collection of solid waste, 30% on transportation, and 20% on final disposal
arrangements. Hence the present study was taken to identify the current status of waste
management in Gwalior city in terms of collection, transportation and disposal. Attempt has
been made to suggest the various alternatives available for efficient management of waste
in the light of environmental impact associated with the current and envisaged practices.
Keyword: Collection, Municipal Solid Waste, Municipal Corporation, Transportation

2. International Conference on Waste Management for Sustainable Development,21-23 March, 2014,N.S.S.College of
Engineering(NSSCE),Palakkad,Kerala,India, organized by Dept. of Civil Engg., NSSCE: LaBISHaS,Govt. of Kerala & IEI
365
1.0 Introduction:
Rapid urbanization, industrialization and population growth have led to severe waste
management problems in several cities of developing or under developed world like India,
Malaysia, Nepal, Bangladesh. Although municipal solid wastes (MSWs), a vital part of any
society, does not have the catastrophic potential of either global warming or stratospheric
ozone depletion, has long posed threats to environmental quality and human health.
According to Union Health Ministry [1], India is an agriculturally based country having
present population of about 1020 million.
Due to uninterrupted relocation of peoples from rural and semi urban areas to towns and
cities from long time, in India the share of urban population has increased from 10.84% in
1901 to 26.15% in 1991 [2]. As a result, the 677 Class I cities and Class II towns existing in
1991 have increased to more than 700 by 2001 [3]. The increase in population of Class I
cities is very high as comparedto that of Class II. The urban population accounts for almost
one fourth of the total population and is increasing at a faster rate than the rural population
in India. The population in the urban areas is likely to double by 2010, while the quantity of
Municipal Solid Wastes (MSWs) generated is expected to triple[4] .
The number of Class I cities with population exceeding 1, 00,000 has increased from 212 to
300 during 1981–1991 [2].Accelerating urbanization accompanied with increasing per
capita incomes have also led to rapid increases in MSW generation and the tremendous
increase in the amount of municipal solid waste has been reported in the cities due to an
improved lifestyle and social status [5].
There is an urgent need to work towards a sustainable solid waste management system,
which is environmentally, economically and socially sustainable. Waste to energy
generation option can be an alternative for sustainable management of this waste and will be
helpful in tackling this huge quantity of waste.
1.2 Study area
Gwalior city lies along 26◦
14 N latitude and 78◦
10 E longitudes on Indo-Gangtic plains in
the state of Madhya Pradesh. The city has a population of about 927849 (GMC, 2006).
Gwalior Municipal Corporation (GMC) is responsible for the management of the MSW
generated in the city. The city is divided into 60 sanitary wards as shown in fig 1 and the
entire operation of solid waste management (SWN) system is performed under four heads,
namely, cleaning, collection, transportation and disposal. In the city area of about 177.3 km2
,

3. International Conference on Waste Management for Sustainable Development,21-23 March, 2014,N.S.S.College of
Engineering(NSSCE),Palakkad,Kerala,India, organized by Dept. of Civil Engg., NSSCE: LaBISHaS,Govt. of Kerala & IEI
366
0
200000
400000
600000
800000
1000000
1200000
1400000
1600000
1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 2030
Population
Years
0
50000
100000
150000
200000
250000
300000
350000
400000
450000
1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 2030
Totalwastegeneration
Year
the public health wing of GMC is performs the cleaning and collection operations; while the
transportation wing of GMC is performing transportation and disposal of MSW. In Gwalior
city the cleaning and collection process involves collection of MSW from the street in wheel
barrows and thereafter, it is dumped into depots. MSW is then loaded into the transportation
vehicles, which transport the waste to different disposal sites.
2.0 SOLID WASTE GENERATION
The inhabitants of the Gwalior city generate approximately 280 tons of MSW daily. It is
estimated that the annual per capita growth rate for MSW generation is 2.33% and the
quantity of MSW from 1971 to 2021 is forecasted in fig 1 and fig 2.
Fig.1: Projected Population for next 20 years
Fig.2: Projected Total waste generation for next 20 years

4. International Conference on Waste Management for Sustainable Development,21-23 March, 2014,N.S.S.College of
Engineering(NSSCE),Palakkad,Kerala,India, organized by Dept. of Civil Engg., NSSCE: LaBISHaS,Govt. of Kerala & IEI
367
3.0 WASTE COMPOSITION IN GWALIOR CITY
The average physical and chemical characteristics of the waste in the city are shown in the
Fig 3 and Table 1 respectively.
Fig. 3: Average composition of waste
Table 1: Chemical characteristics of waste
Parameter Average
Ph 7.70
Electrical conductivity 4.8
Loss on ignition 23.42
Moisture 39.1
Organic carbon 11.37
Organic matter 19.6
Total Nitrogen 0.57
C/N Ratio 19.94
Total Phosphorus 17.20
Total Potassium 19.4

5. International Conference on Waste Management for Sustainable Development,21-23 March, 2014,N.S.S.College of
Engineering(NSSCE),Palakkad,Kerala,India, organized by Dept. of Civil Engg., NSSCE: LaBISHaS,Govt. of Kerala & IEI
368
4.0 WASTE MANAGEMENT IN GWALIOR CITY
4.1 Field survey was carried out in different wards
In the first phase of the study, samples of MSW from different wards were collected during
January 2007-February 2007 to determine its characteristics. The sampling and analysis of
MSW were carried out as per standard procedures described in IS-9234 Standards. Ten
samples were randomly collected from wards.
In the second phase of the study, a questionnaire survey was carried out on 240 randomly
selected houses covering various categories viz high-income group, medium and low-income
group. A questionnaire was prepared and using door-to- door surveying in order to obtain data
about MSW quantity, daily disposal, availability of containers, collection frequency and
satisfaction level, etc was done. The data collected from the survey was analyzed. Further, the
per capita generation rate was evaluated from the population taken into account during survey
work and the quantity of MSW generated as follows.
4.2 The public conception of the problem has been analyzed through the questionnaire.
Storage of waste is mainly done in plastic/metal container 84% households store their waste in
metal / plastic container, whereas 6% and 10% household store their waste in paper bag /box
and plastic bag respectively.
Segregation of waste into various categories as organic, recyclable, inorganic etc. shows that
41% households recycle the waste through vendors, 4% segregate the waste whereas 17% do
not segregate the waste at all.
In all the households the waste is either disposed by them or by some self appointed person.
39% household disposes their waste by themselves, 50% household have self-appointed
person to dispose off waste from house to further disposal. Municipal Corporation collects
waste from 11 percent of household.
Collection of waste is done by three methods namely by door-to-door collection, curbside
container system or simply outside their house. Waste collected through door to door
collection is 33%, 29% household dispose their waste to curbside container, 17% dispose the
waste outside their houses. Regarding the preference of the collection method, 58% have
given preference to door to door collection, 21% households have given preference to the
curbside container system whereas 21% households feels the need of both the system.
The problem as conceived by the people is lack of collection facilities, unsatisfactory
collection and transport. The problem identification as per users shows that 24% households
are worried for the number of garbage container, 23% have infrequent collection problem,

6. International Conference on Waste Management for Sustainable Development,21-23 March, 2014,N.S.S.College of
Engineering(NSSCE),Palakkad,Kerala,India, organized by Dept. of Civil Engg., NSSCE: LaBISHaS,Govt. of Kerala & IEI
369
21% household are worried about the location of the container, 17 and 15% household have
unsanitary condition and odour problem respectively. Information regarding where
households complain regarding problematic situation, 30% households complain to Corporate,
23% complain to Society Secretary, 17% complain to ward Officer, 17% households don’t
complain whereas 13% households don’t know where to complain.
Nearly 62% are aware of the solid waste management in their locality whereas 38% do not
even known about proper handling of waste, solid waste collection, etc. the public is ignorant
about the existing rules and regulation for solid waste management. Type of information
required shows that 54% households need information regarding proper handling of different
kinds of waste while 23% households seek information on solid waste collection schedule and
where to complain.
Almost 100% are in a need to known about the SWM rules and authorities for implementing
these rules. Priority to environmental related problem shows that 23% households gave first
priority to Inadequate Sanitation problem. Second priority is air pollution, whereas Solid
Waste Management related issues are given third priority.
Mode of payment of solid waste management charges shows that 75% households pay solid
waste related tax with common society charges and 17% households pay separately to the
Municipal Corporation whereas 8% do not pay any amount.
Monthly Solid Waste Management charges paid by the household shows that 17% households
do not pay. 17% and 53% households pay less than Rs.10 and Rs.10 to Rs. 30 to Rs.
50.willingness to pay for effective Solid Waste Management shows that 67% are ready to pay
Rs.10 to Rs.30for an effective Solid Waste Management, 21% and 4% households are willing
to pay Rs. 30 to Rs. 50 and more than Rs.50 respectively while 8% are not willing to pay at
all.
4.3 Interaction with Public
The present system is not in conformity with the MSW (Handling & Management) Rules
2000 in reference to collection, transportation and disposal. The waste is being openly
dumped at various places creating nuisance and unsanitary condition. No suitable treatment
and disposal facilit8ies are available and sanitary land filling is not followed.
During survey and interaction with the public is was observed that
 Collection bins are insufficient.
 Scavengers, animals etc scatter the waste around the bins
 Street sweeping and transport of waste from storage points is not regular.
 Except in some localities the segregation is not practiced.

7. International Conference on Waste Management for Sustainable Development,21-23 March, 2014,N.S.S.College of
Engineering(NSSCE),Palakkad,Kerala,India, organized by Dept. of Civil Engg., NSSCE: LaBISHaS,Govt. of Kerala & IEI
370
 Manpower is not adequate.
 From the above description it is clear that the system is neither efficient nor
sustainable, it needs complete overhauling.
4.4 Sources and Quantity of Municipal Solid Waste in Gwalior city
Primary collection of MSW
Sweepers collect the MSW from the roads/streets and carry it to the nearest collection points
(depots or community bins). MSW produced from individual households is taken to the
collection point or just deposited on the adjacent roadside from where it is collected when the
roads are swept. This type of collection is called primary collection.
Methods of storage of MSW
GMC has provided 460 community bin containers for MSW storage of capacities 2.5 m2
,
4.5 m3
and 5.5 m3
. The average spacing of dustbin is 3.5 km, through visits and observation it
is found that nearly 15% of the bins are not in good condition.
Secondary collection of MSW
In Gwalior city the disposal site is generally within 15 km of the collection points, hence,
transfer stations are not in use and the collection vehicle from the collection points to the
disposal site directly hauls the MSW. There are total 796 vehicles used for transportation and
collection of the waste. A dumper placer and tractor carrier system is used to carry the large
size of community bins (4.5 m3
and 5.5 m3
) containing MSW from its fixed point to the
disposal site where it is unloaded mechanically by a hydraulic arm. Then, the empty container
is brought back from the disposal site to its original point. GMC has deployed nearly 1300
sweepers for collection of waste from waste bin/waste pile/waste heaps and for street
sweeping. Sweepers between 6 A.M. to 11 A.M. carry out street sweeping. The average road
length per sweeper is 500 km, the labour is provided with 25 trolleys and 750 handcarts No
prescribed routes have been made yet; they lift the container as per their conformability and
convenience as show in fig 4.

8. International Conference on Waste Management for Sustainable Development,21-23 March, 2014,N.S.S.College of
Engineering(NSSCE),Palakkad,Kerala,India, organized by Dept. of Civil Engg., NSSCE: LaBISHaS,Govt. of Kerala & IEI
371
Fig. 4: Waste collection system in Gwalior city
Transportation and disposal
Gwalior does not have a sanitary landfill for proper disposal of MSW. Presently waste is
disposed off at LaxmanTalaiya dumping site. During the visits and survey it was found that all
waste is simply dumped at the site and to principle of sanitary land filling to followed thus
requiring large land area and creating nuisance in the neighboring area.
Treatment and processing
Presently there is no facility for processing and treatment of MSW except that some material
is recycled through private vendors at source or from dumping site. A compost pant of 120
TPD capacities was installed by M.P. State Agro Industries Development Corporation but was
closed in 2000 due to poor quality of compost.
4.5 Current practice of Solid Waste Management in Gwalior
For the solid waste management all the four functional elements i.e. storage and collection,
transfer and transport, processing and disposal have to be addressed.
The approach to solid waste management focuses on:
 Segregation of waste at source or at transfer station to biodegradable, non-
biodegradable, hazardous, construction/demolition, bulky etc.
 Appropriate waste collection and storage
 Transfer and transport of waste to or at transfer station (TS) or disposal site
 Processing and treatment of MSW.
 Minimizing the waste to be disposed by sanitary landfilling.
 Public-Private Partnership for economic sustainability and proper handling and
management waste.
 Bioconversion of biodegradable waste to compost as to utilize its nutrient value.

9. International Conference on Waste Management for Sustainable Development,21-23 March, 2014,N.S.S.College of
Engineering(NSSCE),Palakkad,Kerala,India, organized by Dept. of Civil Engg., NSSCE: LaBISHaS,Govt. of Kerala & IEI
372
 Revenue earning from recyclables, reusable waste; for sustainability of the project
revenue should be earned through the sale of recyclable and reusable material and the
compost as well as charging the propercess from the public.
 Waste producers has to pay approach is to be followed.
 System shall be reviewed after every five years as the solid waste is flexible and the
life structural changes affect it.
5.0 CONCLUSIONS
 The segregation of waste at source and promotion of recycling or reuse of segregated
materials reduces the quantity of waste and the burden on landfills, and provides raw
materials for manufacturers.
 The composition shows mostly organic matter (49.8%), so composting and vermin-
composting is a good method for the treatment and production of soil amendment.
 The rapid increase in the quantities of MSW and the inability to provide daily
collection service cause a nuisance and health hazards in the city.
 The study presents the current scenario of MSWM, which will be helpful in creating
awareness among the people.
 For slaughterhouse more vehicle are proposed, as the present is insufficient. For
carcass disposal a carcass lifting vehicle and a mobile incinerator is proposed.
 For the effective implementation of the proposal IEC (information, education and
communication) and training is necessary for the sanitary workers and staff and also
for the general public.
REFERENCES
[1] Union Health Ministry Report, 2004.<http://www.agapeindia.com/india
population.htm>.
[2] CPHEEO. Manual on municipal solid waste management. New Delhi: Central
Public Health and Environmental Engineering Organisation, Ministry of Urban
Development; 2000.
[3] CPCB. Central Pollution Control Board.Management of Municipal Solid Wastes, New
Delhi, India; 2002.
[4] Bhinde AD. Strategies for improvement of urban solid waste management in
India. New Delhi: Touchstone Publishers and Printers; 1999.
[5] Sharholy M, Ahmad K, Vaishya R, Gupta R. Municipal solid waste characteristics and
management in Allahabad, India. Waste Management 2007; 27(4):490–6.