Mission Overview:

• Launched on October 1, 2021, as the second phase of the Swachh Bharat Mission.
• Aims for "Garbage-Free Status" in all urban areas by 2026.
• Focuses on 100% source segregation, door-to-door waste collection, and scientific waste management.

Legacy Waste Issues:

• Legacy waste consists of improperly collected and stored solid waste, often found in landfills and abandoned sites.
• Approximately 15,000 acres of prime land are buried under nearly 16 crore tonnes of legacy waste in India.
• The mission seeks to convert legacy dumpsites into green zones and establish scientific landfills to manage untreated waste.

Current Progress:

• Of 2,424 identified dumpsites (each with over 1,000 tonnes of waste), only 470 have been fully remediated (16% reclaimed).
• 1,224 sites are under ongoing remediation, while 730 remain untouched.
• Out of 28,460 acres of affected land, 4,552 acres have been reclaimed, with 23,908 acres still to be addressed.

State Performance:

• Tamil Nadu: 837 acres reclaimed (42% of its total dumpsite area).
• Gujarat: Leads in percentage, reclaiming 75% of its landfill area (698 out of 938 acres).

Financial Aspects:

• Central assistance of ?3,226 crore has been approved for remediation efforts.
• States and Union Territories must provide a matching share to access these funds.

Challenges:

• Legacy waste management involves complexities such as radiological characterization, leachate management, and fire control.
• Current municipal solid waste generation in India is around 150,000 tonnes per day.

Historical Context:

• The original Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM-U 1.0) launched on October 2, 2014, focused on making urban areas Open Defecation Free (ODF).