The success of Waste Management's bid may depend on how quickly it can win approval from Republic and from antitrust regulators. The Bush Administration ends next Jan. 20, giving Waste Management six months before new appointees take over.

"The regional waste management system would minimise environmental risk and promote recycling of wastes," added Nasu. The model system, championed by JECL, has stressed changes in the collection and transportation of solid wastes. Besides the segregation of wastes during the door-to-door collection, there will be operator training, education programme, and transfer station improvement.

In India, the responsibility of collection and disposal of solid wastes has rested traditionally with the municipalities. Private sector participation (PSP) in solid waste management was introduced in 1991 with the reform program for PSP in infrastructure provision.