Pune, the city known for its dedication to cleanliness through the Swachh Bharat initiative, is stepping up its door-to-door waste collection services in collaboration with the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC). With a contract extension with the Swachh organization until January 2029, Pune is set to implement stricter regulations to improve waste management practices throughout the city.
Under the new agreement, which came into effect in January 2024, PMC has introduced tough measures to crack down on littering and promote responsible waste disposal. Waste collectors now face a fine of ₹500 for negligence leading to waste accumulation in public areas. Repeat offenders risk having the Swachh contract terminated for their designated area, highlighting PMC’s commitment to upholding cleanliness standards.
In a bid to enhance operational efficiency, PMC has granted itself more oversight over Swachh’s activities. This includes allowing other organizations to operate in Pune, as long as they meet PMC’s standards and contribute towards the city’s waste management objectives.
Since its establishment in 2008, Swachh has been pivotal in collecting both wet and dry waste from households in Pune, with a workforce of over 3,500 waste collectors. Residents pay ₹85 per household for this essential service, while collectors earn additional income from selling recyclable materials. The revised contract emphasizes the importance of waste collectors maintaining cleanliness at collection points and ensuring timely waste removal, with penalties for non-compliance.
In a move to improve service delivery, PMC now requires ward coordinators appointed by Swachh to have educational qualifications related to waste management and environmental conservation. This ensures that supervisors are equipped to handle waste classification and respond efficiently to community needs in newly integrated areas.
Deputy Commissioner of the Solid Waste Management Department, Sandeep Kadam, has expressed PMC’s willingness to collaborate with more organizations to enhance waste collection efforts. New entities looking to operate in Pune must submit proposals that align with PMC’s guidelines, with integration opportunities based on workforce size and operational effectiveness.
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