The municipal areas of Hyderabad, Secunderabad, Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada and Tirupati generate huge quantity of solid waste and there is no scientific method of collection and disposal. Recently, Municipal Corporations of Hyderabad, Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam have initiated a process of safe disposal through different technological options. However the process is at the stage of experimentation. A lack of precautionary approach in environmental measures vis-a-vis landfills often results in surface and ground water pollution. Other problems include odour, rodents and unsightliness.

There are 32 class I cities/towns and 34 class II cities/towns in Andhra Pradesh. Out of these 66 cities/towns, 14 cities are generating wastes above 50 tonns a day. They are Hyderabad, Guntur, Kurnool, Nellore, Nizamabad, Rajahmundry, Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, Warangal, Ananthapur, Eluru, Kakinada, Khammam and Tirupathi. The other 52

cities generate less than 50 tons a day. They are Adoni, Bhimavaram, Chirala, Chittor, Cuddapah, Gudivada, Guntakal, Hindupur, Karimnagar, Kothagudem, Machilipatnam etc.