Drone Survey Planned for Legacy Waste at Bihar’s Major Dumping Sites

Patna: The Urban Development and Housing Department has announced a drone survey to assess legacy waste at dumping sites across 45 municipal bodies, including all 19 municipal corporations in Bihar. The survey aims to facilitate the treatment and disposal of massive garbage heaps through dedicated processing plants.

Six agencies have been selected to conduct the survey, which will determine the quantity and composition of waste at each site. The findings will guide authorities in devising city-specific waste disposal strategies.

The survey will also assess the potential for recycling. Experts believe that materials like plastic can be extracted for reuse, while wet waste may be converted into compost.

Environmentalists warn that years of accumulated waste at these landfill sites contain a hazardous mix of organic, industrial, and non-degradable materials, contributing to soil and groundwater pollution. Heavy metals such as lead and mercury seep into the soil, while birds feeding at these sites risk ingesting toxic materials like plastic, aluminium, and gypsum, which can be fatal.

Authorities hope that this initiative will streamline waste management and reduce the ecological impact of landfill sites across the state.