New Delhi: Depalpur became the first city under Swachh Shehar Jodi to achieve Zero Legacy Waste after remediating 1,250 metric tonnes of accumulated waste.
The achievement came under the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0. Indore Municipal Corporation supported Depalpur Nagar Parishad through the Swachh Shehar Jodi initiative.
The two civic bodies worked together to strengthen waste management in Depalpur. Door-to-door collection and four-bin waste segregation became routine across the city.
After achieving 100% coverage, the civic bodies turned their attention to the legacy waste at the dumpsite. The waste had accumulated over five years and posed a major waste management challenge.
More than 500 ragpickers from the Indore Municipal Corporation joined the operation. They worked alongside Depalpur Nagar Parishad teams and their heavy machinery.
The operation used dumpers, JCBs and loaders to clear the accumulated waste. Workers also segregated the material at the dumpsite into separate waste streams.
This process helped channel each type of material to its designated destination. The operation therefore combined collection, segregation, processing and authorised disposal.
The teams recovered 4.5 tonnes of recyclable material during the operation. The recovered material included plastic, metal and glass.
Authorised recyclers purchased these recyclable materials. Meanwhile, teams transported 50–60 tonnes of Refuse Derived Fuel to the NEPRA plant in Indore.
The plant shredded the RDF before sending it to cement factories. The factories used the material for co-processing.
The Government said the operation reflected a structured approach to waste management. It combined scientific processing with coordinated work by the two urban local bodies.
Indore had also taken Depalpur under its mentorship through the Swachh Shehar Jodi programme. The initiative focuses on knowledge transfer and peer learning between urban local bodies.
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has supported capacity building under the programme. Swachh Shehar Jodi was launched during Swachhata Hi Seva 2025.
The programme follows an “Each One Teach One” model. It involves 72 mentor cities and 200 mentee cities across the urban waste management sector.
Together, these cities have undertaken more than 1,600 activities. The programme provides a time-bound and structured framework for urban waste management mentorship.
Mentor and mentee cities have also signed Memoranda of Understanding. These agreements support knowledge transfer, peer learning and replication of successful practices.
Cities are currently conducting field visits under the initiative. They are also identifying and addressing gaps in solid waste management and urban waste management.
Zero Legacy Waste marks a new phase for Depalpur
After completing the remediation, Depalpur launched a plantation drive at the former dumpsite. Officials and public representatives planted 200 saplings at the location.
The civic body also plans to turn the site into a public space. The proposed space will support cricket matches, citizen engagement programmes and social gatherings.
A celebratory “Poha Party” followed the completion of the remediation work. The event marked the achievement as a shared community effort.
The site is also expected to host social activities such as a “Tiffin Party”. Officials envision the former dumpsite becoming a green and active community space.
The transformation also extends to other parts of Depalpur. The historic Surajkund Bawdi has been revived as part of the broader civic improvement effort.
Streets have also received vibrant wall art. Plastic-free zones have emerged as another part of the city’s waste management efforts.
Meanwhile, Indore continues its own grassroots initiatives. These include the “Basti Bemisal” campaign for slum transformation.
The Depalpur project was carried out under the leadership of Mayor Shri Pushyamitra Bhargav and Commissioner IAS Kshitij Singhal. Their leadership supported coordination between the participating civic bodies.
The remediation removed 1,250 metric tonnes of waste that had remained at the site for five years. It also enabled the civic bodies to recover recyclable material and process RDF through authorised channels.
As a result, the former dumpsite is set for a new community-focused use. The plantation drive has also marked the beginning of its planned transformation.
Depalpur has thus become the first city under Swachh Shehar Jodi to achieve Zero Legacy Waste. The milestone highlights the role of planning, leadership and community participation in waste management.
The initiative also demonstrates how mentor cities can support smaller urban bodies. Through field-level cooperation and knowledge sharing, the programme seeks to replicate effective waste management practices.
For Depalpur, the completed remediation marks a shift from legacy waste clearance to long-term site management. The planned public space will give the restored site a new civic purpose.
