Bengal shines in clean India survey, 25 urban bodies among top 100

In the survey that assessed municipal areas for minimal open defecation and effective solid waste management, West Bengal has done exceptionally well, with 25 municipal areas in the state making it to the top 100 cities.

Halishahar was ranked 9th among cities while Kolkata was at rank 56, which was the best among the four metros. The list includes only Class I cities with a population of more than one lakh.

The ranking used three methodologies – primary data from the municipal bodies, field inspection and ground interaction with people.

The survey also assessed the status of septage management (disposal of sewage from septik tanks), waste water treatment, drinking water quality, surface quality of water bodies, and mortality due to water-borne diseases.

Bengal is being taken as a model in the field of pollution control by installing electricity operated crematoriums at burning ghats. Most of the burning ghats are on the banks of Ganges or other rivers. The already tops in executing the clean Ganga mission schemes among the five states through which the Ganges flows.

The municipalities or municipal corporations in the State that maintains towns on the banks of Ganges are discarding cremation process through wood and will sole operate through electricity controlled measures.

The State has already sent names of 10 municipalities for clearance from the Central Government.

West Bengal now has electricity operated crematoriums functioning at Howrah, Nimtala, Maheshtala, Hooghly-Chinsurah and Halishahar, all of which are on the banks of the Ganges.

The crematoriums will be renovated with anti-pollution devices and the numbers of chambers in the crematoriums will also be increased.

Tag: Halishahar

Bengal shines in clean India survey, 25 urban bodies among top 100

Bengal becomes a model for pollution control by setting up electric crematoriums on Ganges banks