Villagers don't understand the difference between a dump yard and a waste recycling plant, state urban development minister C.P. Singh on Sunday said while conceding the Rs 23-crore solid waste management project of Chas Municipal Corporation (CMC) in Bokaro had been delayed over protests.

Minister Singh promised to discuss the issue with urban development department secretary Ajay Kumar Singh.

The minister, on his way to Dhanbad from Ranchi, was addressing the media during a brief halt in Bokaro.

In 2015, the civic body had acquired 10 acres for setting up a waste recycling plant at Kalapathar village, around 7km from Chas township. The foundation stone, laid by former chief executive officer of CMC Krishna Kumar in December 2015, was then demolished by some residents.

On December 16, 2016, a group of over 200 villagers of Kalapathar and its surrounding areas, led by chairperson of the district board Sushma Devi protested against the construction of the waste recycling plant.

"Often, villagers mistakenly think a waste recycling plant is a dumping yard. Due to lack of knowledge and several hindrances, the project got delayed. We are facing a similar problem in Lohardaga," said urban development minister Singh.

The minister added, "Authorities entrusted with the project's execution must interact with villagers to tell them the difference between a garbage dump yard and waste recycling plant. At a waste recycling plant, trash is recycled to produce fertilisers. The unit will pave the way for smooth disposal of garbage generated by 2.5 lakh-plus residents."

The minister also attended a function organised by Jharkhand State Livelihood Promotion Society in Dhanbad during which he distributed smartphones among sakhi mandals (women's self-help groups). "Smartphones will help the women work more efficiently, from transferring money to doing calculations." he said.