The BBMP will soon rely on the expertise of civic officials of the US city of San Francisco to help deal with the city’s solid waste management issues.
On Monday, the BBMP signed a memorandum of understanding with the US City on cooperation in waste management and recycling in the presence of San Francisco Mayor Edwin M Lee, who is in Bangalore on an official visit.
According to the agreement, both cities would work towards collaboration, technology exchange and knowledge transfer in the fields of solid waste management, including zero waste, to support and encourage trade and investment that would benefit both countries.
Ten other MoUs with various government agencies were also signed on the occasion.
Lee said his city recycles 80 per cent of the waste generated there. “We have the highest rate of recycling waste in our country and are trying other means of technology to reach 100 per cent. We do not want to dump waste in landfills,” he added.
He said they are ready to share their waste management techniques with Bangalore. Lee said nearly 50 per cent of the non-recycled materials can be recycled.
He noted the need to work with product packaging industries that manufactured recyclable materials.
Lee boasted about his city’s water supply, declaring it did not experience shortages and also supplied water to other US states. “Our water is so pure that we can clean IT chips with it,” he said.
“There is a need to provide H1B visas, which means more Indians will come to the US. I shall speak to President Barack Obama in this regard,” he added.
Visiting Official Invokes Gandhi
San Francisco Mayor Edwin M Lee said he is a follower of Mahatma Gandhi.
Reiterating Gandhi’s words “You must be the change you want to see in the world,” Lee said the statement was in his spirit.
“I am here to accomplish the change we wish to bring,” he added.
District In-charge Minister R Ramalinga Reddy told the visiting delegation that Bangalore is the most investment-friendly city in India.
Mayor-led Panel to Visit US
Bangalore: A delegation led by Mayor B S Sathyanarayana is likely to visit San Francisco soon to get hands-on experience on the best practices in solid waste management (SWM) systems in the US.
Bangalore Urban District In-Charge Minister Reddy said,”They have invited us. Bangalore and San Francisco are sister cities for the past five years. It is a routine trip.”
The delegation will consist of four to five people, including the Mayor.
Reddy said, “They (San Francisco City) might take care of the expenditure. If not, the State government and BBMP will take care of it. It is too early to comment about it, as the details are yet to be worked out.”
Meanwhile, a senior BJP councillor said, “It is expected to cost `3 lakh per person for flight charges and other expenses. A team of at least ten is expected to fly, including councillors and officials.”
“The Mayor is from the BJP and the Deputy Mayor is a Congressman. Both are expected to make the trip. We cannot leave out Congress and JD(S) councillors, as they might oppose the move. San Francisco city authority may take care of their stay,” the councillor added.
How the US Assistance Helps B’lore
Assistance in waste management and recycling
Formulation of policies to conserve and recharge groundwater
Cultural exchanges
Collaboration, technology exchange and knowledge transfer in healthcare
Development of urban mass transport systems and find solutions to decongest traffic
Knowledge of best practices on power transmission will be exchanged
Assistance in developing projects in Bangalore region with respect to Chennai-Bangalore and Mumbai-Bangalore industrial corridors
Implementation of more energy efficiency programmes
Exploration of more renewable energy options like solar and wind turbines