Guwahati: Door-to-door garbage collection faces backlash over poor implementation

Staff reporter

Guwahati: The door-to-door garbage collection initiative launched by the Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) earlier this year has come under fire, with residents voicing dissatisfaction over mounting waste and unhygienic conditions across the city.

Introduced as a step toward transforming Guwahati into a smart city, the initiative aimed to enhance civic services by assigning unique house numbers to every property. GeoVista Technologies Private Limited was entrusted with conducting a citywide survey and installing smart house number plates to streamline garbage collection, emergency response, and utility billing.

However, the ambitious project has encountered significant setbacks, with several areas reporting delays in garbage collection lasting weeks.

A resident of the Nayanpur area complained, "It's been over 15 days since garbage was last cleared in our locality. The stench is unbearable, making it difficult to even stay indoors."

Similar frustrations were echoed by residents of Kahilipara, where one local remarked, "The GMC's door-to-door garbage collection system has completely collapsed. They spoke about QR codes, but there's no sign of their implementation. It feels like we've been misled with empty promises."

The GMC had outlined specific goals for the initiative, including visiting each property, assigning unique smart addresses, and improving garbage collection and water billing systems. However, the execution appears to have fallen short. While QR code cards were distributed in some areas, proper installation was either delayed or skipped, leaving residents dissatisfied.

The piling up of garbage has now escalated into a public health hazard, with fears of disease outbreaks such as dengue and malaria gaining ground.

Despite mounting complaints, the GMC has yet to provide a clear timeline for resolving the crisis. This has raised questions about the initiative's effectiveness and the accountability of the authorities involved. With public discontent growing, immediate corrective measures are required to tackle the waste management challenges and restore confidence among Guwahati's citizens.

Also Read: Guwahati: Open Garbage Fire Triggers Health Crisis in Beltola Area

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