Vol. 12 No. 4 (2025)
Journal Space and Culture, India

Perspective

Analysis of Solid Waste Management Scenarios in India: A Comparative Case Study of Indore and Varanasi with Special Emphasis on Policy Gaps and Interventions

Published 2025-03-29

  • Deepak Rathore
    • ,
  • Ravikant Dubey
    • ,
  • Ram Sharan Singh
    • ,
  • Amrita Dwivedi

Deepak Rathore
Department of Humanistic Studies, Indian Institute of Technology, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, Uttar Pradesh, India

Ravikant Dubey
Department of Humanistic Studies, Indian Institute of Technology, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, Uttar Pradesh, India

Ram Sharan Singh
Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, Uttar Pradesh, India

Amrita Dwivedi
Assistant Professor, Department of Humanistic Studies, Indian Institute of Technology, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, Uttar Pradesh, India

Abstract

Varanasi, the spiritual capital of India, is prominent in the country. It drastically improved its waste management capacity after 2014, when it became the constituency of the prime minister of India. At the same time, Indore established itself as a role model for sanitation in general and solid waste management in particular by securing the title of the cleanest city in India for the fifth consecutive year.  

Solid waste management is the biggest challenge in India, and it is growing continuously. A comparison between Indore and Varanasi will reveal the gaps in solid waste management in India's two-tier towns. Comparative data analysis of the solid waste composition, chemical composition, cleaning, collection, transportation, treatment, and disposal facilities will provide insight into waste management shortcomings. Analysing waste generation in different states and cities with varying population densities will reveal the patterns responsible for better or worse waste management in specific areas. We have analysed data and recognised patterns of waste generation with regard to economic prosperity. This study analyses the policy framework for waste and sanitation in India in comparison to the global context. Many successful policy frameworks are designed by international organisations like the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) and the World Bank. We have compared the Indian waste management policy and status with the World Bank's policy framework, as it is the most comprehensive policy framework currently available.   We have primarily focused on Indore and compared it with Varanasi regarding policy frameworks and enforcement strategies.  This study identifies potential gaps by analysing patterns in waste management and proposes improved ideas for waste-related policies and sustainable development.

Keywords

Solid Waste, Waste Composition, Waste Collection, Treatment and Disposal, Sustainable Development, Indore, Varanasi, India

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Author Biography

Deepak Rathore

Deepak Rathore is a research scholar at the Department of Humanistic Studies, IIT (BHU) Varanasi. He has obtained his Master’s degree in Science from Banaras Hindu University in Biochemistry and his Master’s degree in Technology from Delhi Technological University in Biomedical Engineering. He has worked on a wide range of topics, including neurodegeneration and tissue engineering. Currently, he is working on solid waste management and the occupational health hazards faced by rag-pickers. He has authored or co-authored articles in reputable journals and book chapters in prominent publication houses, including Springer and Elsevier.

Ravikant Dubey

Mr. Ravikant Dubey is a Research Scholar at the Department of Humanistic Studies, IIT (BHU) Varanasi. He obtained his Postgraduate Degree in “Environmental Science and Technology” from Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India, and his Undergraduate Degree in “Life Sciences” from V.B.S. Purvanchal University, Jaunpur, India. Mr. Dubey has a keen interest in municipal solid waste management and the circular economy, with a focus on Socio-Technical Aspects. He has experience as a Project Assistant in two projects on “Sustainable Solid Waste Management in the IIT (BHU) Campus.” He has published several research articles and chapters on “Waste Management” in reputable academic journals and has presented his work at numerous national and international conferences.

Ram Sharan Singh

Professor Ram Sharan Singh obtained his B.Tech. (H.B.T.I. Kanpur), M.Tech. (IIT Kanpur), Ph.D. (Chem. Eng.) degree from IIT (BHU). He began his career as a Lecturer at BITS, Pilani, in 1999, was promoted to Professor in 2015, and was further promoted to Professor (HAG) in 2022 at IIT (BHU). Prof. Singh has supervised 59 M.Tech./MD and 22 Ph.D. theses, authored/co-authored/presented over 200 technical papers with a total impact of over 1300, one book and eight book chapters and completed projects sanctioned by ISRO, DRDO, MoEF, DST, MHRD, etc. He also made significant contributions to the Institute and University administration. He is the recipient of several Awards and Honours like Rastriya  Fertilizer and Chemical Award by Fertilizer Association of India, Publication award by IIT (BHU) Global Alumni Association and Fellow by Biotech Research Society of India (BRSI) and Institute of Engineers (India), Chair Professor by Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).

Amrita Dwivedi

Dr. Amrita Dwivedi obtained her PhD from Banaras Hindu University, India, and pursued postdoctoral research in the Civil Engineering Department of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) BHU, Varanasi. She is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Humanistic Studies at IIT (BHU) Varanasi. Her research interests focus on the field of environmental studies, especially in sanitation and health, waste management, housing and hygiene. She has also supervised six M.Sc. theses. She is a reviewer for various journals, including the Journal of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for Development and Waste Management & Research (WM&R), among others. She has developed undergraduate and postgraduate courses. She has published 15 research papers in refereed journals, 07 in Conference Proceedings, 07 Book Chapters,  and   03   Books. 

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