L&T adopts 25,000 slum dwellers in Powai

Mumbai, Oct 4 (UNI) The Corporate Social Responsibility Cell (CSR) of Larsen&Toubro, in partnership with a local NGO, Force, adopted a population of 25,000 slum dwellers in and around the Lower Tunga region of Powai here yesterday.

The Mayor of Mumbai Dr Jayraj Phatak was the guest of honour to launch Larsen &Toubro's 'Dattak Vasti Yojana'. Also present on the occasion were Larsen&Toubro Corporate Infrastructure and Services Vice President D B Raju and personnel from Force.

Tricycles to cart the garbage, that have been procured for the project, were handed over to the community.

Speaking to reporters, Force Founder Member and Executive Trustee Poonam Hudra said, ''Waste management is a problem that cripples most of our city. Efficient management of this garbage is essential for the city to grow, and for its citizens to lead better lives. Through this association with L&T, we hope to provide this population of 25,000 a chance for a better life.'' The program will focus on providing Waste Disposal Management in the area, to ensure that it remains clean, hygienic and healthy. L&T, assisted by Force will guide the community in waste management and will build a system to successfully implement the slum adoption program.

For this the Company has proposed to strengthen the local community based organization (CBO) and will identify and train 22 youth volunteers for segregating the waste at source.

L&T will support the project financially till the CBO is capable to sustain itself for about 6 months. By the end of the project, this community will become self sustainable and will be able to manage it through their own contribution, income generated from segregation of waste, vermin composting and support from MCGM, Ms Hudra informed.

UNI