Metro India News | AMARAVATI

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has called for an evaluation of using electric vehicles for garbage collection and recommended a detailed study into how agricultural and allied waste can be integrated into the circular economy.

He also suggested studying Rajasthan’s model of circular economy as a benchmark for Andhra Pradesh and sought updates on the progress of upcoming waste-to-energy plants in Nellore, Rajahmundry, Kadapa, and Kurnool. He directed officials to fast-track a comprehensive action plan to ensure effective waste management across Andhra Pradesh’s villages, asserting that “a clean Andhra is only possible through clean villages.”

Chairing a review meeting on the state’s emerging Circular Economy Policy at the Secretariat, the CM instructed officials to begin daily door-to-door waste collection, with wet waste converted into compost and dry waste handed over to agencies. Tenders to engage such agencies will be called next month, he said.

In a strategic move, the responsibility for managing wet waste in villages will be entrusted to DWCRA women’s groups, empowering them while promoting decentralized composting. The state will be divided into 52 waste management clusters — two per district and one per mandal headquarters — to facilitate waste segregation, recycling, or transportation.

“No panchayat should dump waste on roads,” Naidu warned, emphasizing accountability. He directed officials to reward high-performing panchayats and individuals with awards on October 2, Gandhi Jayanti, and laid out a roadmap to fully streamline the waste management system by October 2, 2026.

Reiterating his vision of a “zero-waste policy,” the CM instructed the Panchayati Raj Department to collaborate with Swachh Andhra Pradesh and Pollution Control Board to formulate and execute an action plan across all panchayats.