https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Varanasi’s Clean Sweep: QR Codes, Recycled Roads, and Empowered Women

“We are not just aiming for certification. Our goal is to make ODF Plus a way of life for the people of Varanasi,” says Himanshu Nagpal. 
Indian Masterminds Stories

Varanasi is set to achieve a major milestone by becoming the first district in Uttar Pradesh to attain ODF (Open Defecation Free) Plus status. This achievement comes as the result of an extensive waste management initiative that has transformed rural sanitation across the district’s 1,246 villages. Through structured planning, community engagement, and infrastructure development, Varanasi has successfully implemented solid and liquid waste management systems in nearly all of its villages.

THE JOURNEY TOWARDS ODF PLUS 

Under the guidelines of the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) 2.2, villages are classified into three categories based on their waste management progress: aspiring, rising, and model. A village can only achieve model status if it has proper arrangements for both solid and liquid waste management. Varanasi has made significant strides in this regard, with 1,201 villages already classified as model villages.

Speaking with Indian Masterminds, IAS officer Himanshu Nagpal (2019 batch UP cadre), Chief Development Officer (CDO) of Varanasi, emphasised the importance of this initiative: “Sanitation and waste management are not just about infrastructure but also about behaviour change. Our goal was to ensure that every village had a sustainable system in place to manage its waste efficiently.”

INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT AND WASTE MANAGEMENT 

To attain ODF Plus status, the district focused on building a strong foundation for waste collection and processing. This included the establishment of Resource Recovery Centres (RRCs), Soak Pits, Garbage Collection Vehicles, and Vermi Compost Pits. The waste collection system has been streamlined through the use of QR-coded garbage collection vehicles, allowing villagers to track waste collection in real time.

A nominal monthly charge of ₹30 is collected from each household for waste disposal. This system has been remarkably successful, generating over ₹30 lakh in revenue through door-to-door collection. The funds are reinvested in maintaining waste management infrastructure, ensuring that the program remains sustainable in the long run.

Highlighting the impact of this approach, Mr. Nagpal stated, “One of the biggest challenges was making waste management self-sustainable. The monthly contribution by villagers, coupled with innovative recycling initiatives, has ensured that the system runs smoothly without constant external funding.”

EMPLOYMENT GENERATION AND WOMEN’S INVOLVEMENT 

A significant aspect of the initiative has been the employment of over 1,000 women in waste collection, segregation, and processing. Women from self-help groups (SHGs) have played a key role in waste management efforts, ensuring the smooth operation of collection centres and recycling units.

Initially, there was some reluctance among women to participate due to the stigma associated with waste collection. However, targeted awareness campaigns and financial incentives encouraged their involvement. “At first, many women were hesitant to take up this work,” Mr. Nagpal noted. “But once they saw the financial benefits and the positive change in their villages, their participation increased significantly.”

PLASTIC WASTE MANAGEMENT AND ROAD CONSTRUCTION

One of the most innovative aspects of Varanasi’s waste management strategy is its Plastic Waste Management Units (PWMUs). These units process plastic waste by shredding it into small particles, which are then utilised in road construction.

  • Over 80 tonnes of plastic waste have been processed so far.
  • 10 tonnes of shredded plastic have already been used for bituminous road construction in Varanasi.

This initiative not only addresses the issue of plastic pollution but also provides an effective way to repurpose non-biodegradable waste.

LIQUID WASTE MANAGEMENT AND WATER CONSERVATION 

Wastewater disposal has been a major concern in rural areas, where drainage often leads to contamination of ponds and water bodies. To address this, the administration has implemented filter chambers, soak pits, and seepage well ponds to ensure proper wastewater treatment before it enters natural water sources.

“Preserving water quality is just as important as managing solid waste,” Mr. Nagpal explained. “By installing soak pits and seepage wells, we are ensuring that wastewater is properly filtered before it reaches the ponds. This has also helped in maintaining aquatic biodiversity.”

CHALLENGES AND SOLUTIONS 

While the progress has been remarkable, the initiative faced several challenges:

Resistance to Paying for Waste Collection

  • Initially, villagers were reluctant to pay ₹30 per month for garbage collection.
  • To build trust, the administration funded salaries for waste collectors for the first three months, after which villagers voluntarily continued payments upon seeing the benefits.

Ensuring Infrastructure Quality

  • Since procurements were managed at the village level, there were risks of poor-quality construction.
  • To address this, Nodal Officers were assigned to clusters of 20 villages to oversee construction and ensure compliance with standardised estimates.

Retaining the Workforce

  • Social stigma initially discouraged workers from staying in the job.
  • To boost motivation, top-performing waste collectors in each block were honoured with certificates and public recognition.

Managing Plastic Waste Efficiently

Agreements were made with plastic recyclers and road construction agencies to ensure proper utilisation of shredded plastic waste.

SUSTAINABILITY AND FUTURE PLANS

Varanasi’s success in achieving ODF Plus status is not just about reaching a milestone but ensuring long-term sustainability. The administration has taken several measures to maintain the momentum:

  • Continuous monitoring through a central control room to track waste collection and processing.
  • QR-code-based payment systems to ensure transparency in financial transactions.
  • Training programs for SHG women to enhance their skills in waste management and recycling.

“We are not just aiming for certification. Our goal is to make ODF Plus a way of life for the people of Varanasi,” Mr. Nagpal said. 

With 1,201 out of 1,246 villages already achieving model status, Varanasi is on track to become Uttar Pradesh’s first ODF Plus district. The district’s structured approach—combining community participation, innovative waste management, and sustainable infrastructure—offers a model that can be replicated across other regions.

As the project continues, Varanasi’s efforts stand as an example of how strategic planning and local engagement can lead to lasting improvements in sanitation and environmental conservation.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd
GRSE CMD Cmde PR Hari Honoured with Management Excellence Award 2025
IRFC
IRFC Emerges as Lowest Bidder for Rs. 5,000 Crore Loan to NTPC
Vishakha Yadav IAS
IAS Vishakha Yadav Honoured with Prime Minister’s Award for Excellence in Public Administration for ‘Project DIGIKAKSHA’
Himachal Pradesh High Court
Himachal Pradesh High Court Directs Formation of Police Establishment Board and Fixed Tenure for DGP
IPS logo resized
Punjab Government Suspends IPS Officer Surender Pal Singh Parmar for "Grave Misconduct"
Simlipal National Park
Simlipal Tiger Reserve Declared as National Park by Odisha Government
Coal India (1)
Coal India HR/IR Conclave in Bhubaneswar Highlights Employee Welfare and Innovation
Powergrid (resized)
POWERGRID Commissions 85 MW Solar Plant in Ujjain; Launches AI-Enabled UNMS Control Center
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
WAVES 2025 (Ashutosh Mohile)
A Davos-Like Media & Entertainment Summit in Mumbai
Aditya Vikram Agarwal
The Shouts of Joy Were Real: Aditya’s UPSC Rank 9 Was a Family Celebration
Dr Lokesh M IAS
E-Rickshaw Chaos, Waterlogging, Traffic Mess — Can Noida Fix Its Daily Chaos? | Exclusive with Dr Lokesh M, IAS
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
Hemant Mishra UPSC CSE 2024
From Bihar to UP’s SDM: How Hemant Mishra Cleared UPPCS Twice, BPSC, and Secured AIR 13 in UPSC
Hemant Mishra, a resilient Bihar native, cleared UPPCS twice, BPSC, and secured AIR 17 in UPSC CSE while...
Sanskriti Trivedy
AIR 17 Sanskriti Trivedy’s Final Shot at UPSC Hits the Bullseye
Despite already securing Rank 352 and joining IDAS, SanskritiTrivedy didn’t give up on her dream. In...
Aditya Vikram Agarwal
The Shouts of Joy Were Real: Aditya’s UPSC Rank 9 Was a Family Celebration
“UPSC is not the only path. If you are in any field… UPSC is not the only way to serve the nation. Be...
Social Media
Exam Student Aspirant
'Bramhastra' For Aspirants Appearing for UPSC Prelims Exam 2025, ICLS Officer Altap Shaikh Shares Final Month Strategy
Officer Shaikh's practical and focused suggestions come as a timely morale booster for thousands of candidates...
GozJlgrXYAAHoKv
Murals for Cleanliness: Thoothukudi District Launches Art-Inspired Sanitation Drive in Panchayats
Local artists add colour and messages to village walls, promoting hygiene and community pride
Himanshu Nagpal IAS
Varanasi's Beggar Rehabilitation Initiative Recognised by UIDAI, CDO Himanshu Nagpal Shares the News
Mr. Himanshu Nagpal is a 2019-batch IAS officer
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd
GRSE CMD Cmde PR Hari Honoured with Management Excellence Award 2025
IRFC
IRFC Emerges as Lowest Bidder for Rs. 5,000 Crore Loan to NTPC
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
WAVES 2025 (Ashutosh Mohile)
Aditya Vikram Agarwal
Dr Lokesh M IAS
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT