Meerut: Uttar Pradesh's Animal Husbandry Minister Dharmpal Singh sparked controversy during a Meerut visit by announcing plans to "turn garbage into gold" through a new processing plant. The minister claimed the facility would convert municipal waste into fertilizer for revenue generation, though he provided no technical details or timeline.
The statement drew a sarcastic response from SP leaders, who formally invited Singh to demonstrate his technology at Lohia Nagar's overflowing garbage dump. SP's student wing secretary Babar Chauhan noted Meerut's 2.7 million ton waste backlog remains untreated despite crores allocated for solutions.
Municipal records show NTPC has been negotiating a waste-to-energy plant since 2024, with Mayor Harikant Ahluwalia confirming coal and electricity production plans. Environmentalists question the viability of both proposals, citing failed experiments in 6 UP districts since 2022.
This isn't Singh's first controversial claim - in 2023 he made headlines for driving his SUV onto Lucknow's railway platform using a wheelchair access ramp. The minister later cited rain as justification for the violation.
Meerut generates 550 metric tons of waste daily, with current processing capacity at just 35%. The city's landfills have exceeded capacity since 2021, according to CPCB compliance reports.
The controversy highlights the ongoing struggle to manage Meerut's waste crisis, with residents demanding effective solutions. As the city grapples with its growing waste problem, the feasibility and practicality of the minister's proposal remain uncertain.
