Japan ready to help India in waste management: Consul General Ryoji Noda

Japan on Wednesday offered to assist India in effective waste management, at a time when the Maharashtra had imposed a ban on the use of plastic in the state. 

Consul General of Japan in Mumbai Ryoji Noda said Japan is ready to support India in all aspects and share its experience with India to handle air, water and sea pollution.

“If Mumbai creates 7,000 tonnes of urban waste every day, around 210,000 tonne of waste is produced every month.  Japan, which has recycled 85 per cent of PET bottles, can help India in better handling the same,” Noda said at a CII event in Mumbai.

The Maharashtra government had banned manufacturing and sale of plastic materials, including PET and PETE bottles in the state last month.

Highlighting India as the largest beneficiary under Japans Overseas Development Assistance (ODA), Noda said India had received Rs 22,000 crore of assistance from ODA and said Mumbai had been one of the focus areas of its assistance.

Meanwhile, the consul general said the trans-harbour link project, connecting Mumbai and Navi Mumbai would be completed in 2022, adding Mumbai Metro III between Colaba to Seepz will be completed in 2021.

“Japan has committed Rs 9,000 crore towards Mumbai trans-harbour link road, connecting Mumbai and Navi Mumbai. It will be completed in 2022. Japan has also committed Rs 4,500 crore towards Mumbai Metro III (Colaba to Seepz) project, and will be completed in 2021,” Noda added.

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) had signed an agreement with Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) to provide around Rs 8,600 crore ODA loan for trans-harbour link project.

Noda said the 508 km bullet train project between Ahmedabad and Mumbai, is being executed at a cost of Rs 1.10 lakh crore, (Rs 88,000 crore would be funded by JICA), would ensure safety of the users, besides responsible and timely disbursement in construction.

(With inputs from agencies)