Pune: Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has announced that all vehicles transporting Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) from the city’s waste processing plants will now be equipped with GPS tracking systems.
This measure is part of an effort to monitor the movement and final disposal of RDF, a byproduct of mixed waste processing. The RDF, primarily sent to cement companies or power generation plants, will now be tracked to ensure that it reaches its intended destination.
Pune generates over 2,000 tons of waste daily, and this figure increases during the festive season. Central and state pollution control boards have stressed the need for scientific disposal of RDF, prompting the PMC to introduce stricter measures for waste management.
As part of this new system, companies operating waste processing plants will be required to submit proof of delivery receipts from cement or power plants to receive full payment. Initially, the PMC will pay 75% of the tipping fees, with the remaining 25% contingent on submission of these receipts.
The PMC’s decision comes after reports of RDF being misrouted to unapproved locations, including illegal supplies to companies not authorized to process RDF.
Recently, a truck carrying plastic, rags, and other flammable waste, rather than RDF, was stopped by villagers in Deulgaon Wada, Daund Taluka, and turned over to the Yavat Police.
The driver of the truck revealed during questioning that the waste originated from the PMC's Ramtekdi waste processing plant. Such incidents have raised concerns about the potential misuse of RDF and have prompted authorities to tighten monitoring protocols.
To ensure accountability, the new directive makes GPS tracking mandatory for all vehicles transporting RDF. In addition, cement and power companies receiving the RDF must provide certificates confirming the amount delivered, with weight records documented for every truckload.
These steps are expected to prevent illegal diversions of waste and ensure that RDF is used appropriately for energy or industrial purposes.