Sirajuddin Ahmed

Status and challenges of municipal solid waste management in India: A review

Abstract The abysmal state of and challenges in municipal solid waste management (MSWM) in urban India is the motivation of the present study. Urbanization contributes enhanced municipal solid waste (MSW) generation and unscientific handling of MSW degrades the urban environment and causes health hazards. In this paper, an attempt is made to evaluate the major parameters of MSWM, in addition to a comprehensive review of MSW generation, its characterization, collection, and treatment options as practiced in India. The current status of MSWM in Indian states and important cities of India is also reported. The essential conditions for harnessing optimal benefits from the possibilities for public private partnership and challenges thereof and unnoticeable role of rag-pickers are also discussed. The study concludes that installation of decentralized solid waste processing units in metropolitan cities/towns and development of formal recycling industry sector is the need of the hour in developing countries like India.

Flood risk management strategies for national capital territory of Delhi, India

Abstract Delhi, a mega city with a population of 16.78 million, is situated on the bank of River Yamuna. During the last three decades, the hydrological characteristics of the Yamuna River basin have significantly changed. Due to rapid urbanization in the basin, the runoff has considerably increased. Consequently, the flooding events are now occurring more frequently and with higher magnitudes. A sizeable population of the city of Delhi resides in settlements that have mushroomed in the flood plains of Yamuna. A majority of these settlements is in the low-lying areas, which make them highly vulnerable to flooding events of even moderate intensity. In the present paper, several structural and non-structural measures for the management of flood risk in the national capital territory of Delhi have been recommended. A critical analysis of the existing flood control measures has revealed several shortcomings. Based upon the analysis, several implementable structural and non-structural measures for alleviating the problem of riverine as well as urban flooding in the national capital territory of Delhi have been recommended. Proper implementation of the recommended structural and non-structural measures could significantly reduce the flood risk associated with riverine and urban flooding in the national capital territory of Delhi.

Urban flood hazard mapping using change detection on wetness transformed images

ABSTRACT The present study demonstrates the use of a new approach for delineating the accurate flood hazard footprint in the urban regions. The methodology involves transformation of Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) imagery to a three-dimensional feature space, i.e. brightness, wetness and greenness, then a change detection technique is used to identify the areas affected by the flood. Efficient thresholding of the normalized difference image generated during change detection has shown promising results in identifying the flood extents which include standing water due to flood, sediment-laden water and wetness caused by the flood. Prior to wetness transformations, dark object subtraction has been used in lower wavelengths to avoid errors due to scattering in urban areas. The study shows promising results in eliminating most of the problems associated with urban flooding, such as misclassification due to presence of asphalt, scattering in lower wavelengths and delineating mud surges. The present methodology was tested on the 2010 Memphis flood event and validated on Queensland floods in 2011. The comparative analysis was carried out with the widely-used technique of delineating flood extents using thresholding of near infrared imagery. The comparison demonstrated that the present approach is more robust towards the error of omission in flood mapping. Moreover, the present approach involves less manual effort and is simpler to use. Editor Z.W. Kundzewicz; Associate editor A. Viglione

Evaluating technology management factors for fly-ash utilization in the road sector using an ISM approach

Abstract The generation of fly ash is supported by much effort to utilize it to the greatest extent possible. Present usage of around 58% of fly ash generated every year demands more effort. Around 6% of fly ash utilized is being used in road applications. More fly ash can be utilized in road sector because of its having huge potential mainly in embankments. Fifteen factors have been identified, studied, analysed, classified and presented as a model that suggests their significance towards accomplishing the objective of more fly-ash utilization in the road sector. Interpretive structural modelling (ISM) is applied to these factors to obtain their relative relationships. The key factor is local specific strategic planning, which is identified and recommended for implementation in the present scenario along with maintaining focus on all factors for successful implementation towards the desired objective.

Association of air quality with respiratory and cardiovascular morbidity rate in Delhi, India

ABSTRACT The present study reports short-term impact of poor air quality on cardiovascular and respiratory morbidity rate in Delhi. The data on monthly count of patients visiting Out Patient Department (OPD) and hospital admission due to respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses from hospitals along with daily air quality data from air quality monitoring stations of Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Government of India, across Delhi were collected for the period 2008 to 2012. A semi-parametric Quasi-Poisson regression model was used to examine the association of high pollution episodes with relative risk of hospital OPD visit and hospital admission due to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. This study has confirmed the substantial adverse health effects due to air pollution across criterion air pollutants. The study reports the short-term effects of air pollution on morbidity from a time-series study first time in India. The study findings illustrate the evidence of adverse health impact of air pollution from India to the global pool and can influence the policy makers to implement better air quality management system for Indian cities. Abbreviations: OPD: Out Patient Department; IPD: Inpatient Department; RD: Respiratory Disease; CVD: Cardiovascular Disease; COPD: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease; CPCB: Central Pollution Control Board; NAAQMP: National Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Programme; NAAQS: National Ambient Air Quality Standards; RR; Relative Risk; IMD: Indian Meteorological Department; PM10: Particulate Matter less than 10 μm in aerodynamic diameter; SO2: Sulphur dioxide; NO2: Nitrogen dioxide; CO: Carbon Monoxide; O3: Ozone; DCE: Delhi College of Engineering; GTB Hospital: Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital; VPCH: Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Hospital; RMLH: Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital; SJH: Safdarjung Hospital; LNJPH: Lok Narayan Jai Prakash Hospital; GTBH: Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital; AH: Ambedkar Hospital; HRH: Hindu Rao Hospital; ESIH: ESI Hospital; SGRH: Sir Ganga Ram Hospital

Flood estimation at Hathnikund Barrage, River Yamuna, India using the Peak-Over-Threshold method

ABSTRACT The paper presents a methodology for the estimation of flood magnitude using the peaks-over-threshold (POT) data. A semi-automatic approach for the determination of POT values has been presented. Two frequency analysis methods, namely Gumbel’s method and Log-Pearson type III distribution, have been used. Two major issues in implementing a POT approach are: (i) determining an appropriate threshold and (ii) ensuring the independence of events. The present paper addresses these issues simultaneously. Using the daily discharge data, various return-level flood magnitudes have been estimated. A comparison of flood magnitudes obtained using the annual maxima (AM) approach and POT approach clearly indicates that the flood magnitudes in general are higher when Log-Pearson method is used as compared to when Gumbel’s method is used. The result of the research conducted clearly indicates that the flood magnitudes estimated on the basis of POT sample are more reliable, particularly when the data length is short.

Municipal solid waste as a source of energy

Air, water and soil contamination is the major source generated from municipal solid wastes. In current scenario air, water, and soil are polluted because of the uninhibited decomposition of solid wastes. The systematic treatment of municipal solid wastes leads to the economical source of energy. Appropriate municipal waste management (MSW) strategy be implemented to minimize environmental impact and subsequent energy recovery. In this mini review report we have discussed about the technological aspects of energy production from MSW. Overall energy potential and future prediction has also been reported.

Impact of Di-Methyl Ether (DME) As anAdditive Fuel for Compression IgnitionEngine in Reduction of Urban Air Pollution

With ever growing concerns on environmental pollution, energy security and future oil supplies, the global community is seeking nonpetroleum based alternative fuels to increase the efficiency of energy use. Di-methyl ether (DME) can be used as a clean, high-efficiency compression ignition (CI) engine fuel with reduced NOx, SOx, and particulate matter. DME‟s diesel engine-compatible properties are its high cetane number and low auto-ignition temperature. However, physical properties of DME (viz. lower viscosity, lubricity, combustion enthalpy and boiling point)demands modifications to diesel engine internal structures and components.The technology with pure DME as an alternative fuel for CI engine and vehicle is still under development stage. However, if DME is used as an additive fuel with diesel, the relative “goodness” of each fuel might be utilized. This paper analyses the potential benefit of blending DME in diesel fuel in reduction of urban air pollution.