Guwahati Municipal Corporation’s solid waste management system reviewed

Staff reporter

Guwahati: Guwahati Mayor Mrigen Sarania chaired a high-level meeting with Divisional Executive Officers (EOs) and empanelled NGOs under the Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC). The meeting aimed to evaluate and reinforce the city’s solid waste management practices while introducing several innovative, citizen-centric initiatives.

One of the key outcomes of the meeting was the decision to implement a more robust door-to-door garbage collection system across all wards, with special attention to underserved and difficult-to-access localities. The Mayor emphasized the need for consistent and timely waste pickup to avoid public health hazards and maintain neighbourhood hygiene. To streamline user fee collection and boost transparency, the GMC announced the introduction of Pauro Sakhis—community-based women volunteers—who will be entrusted with collecting user fees from households. This move is expected to enhance citizen engagement while empowering women at the grassroots level. In a first-of-its-kind initiative, the GMC made daily sweeping of bylanes mandatory to prevent litter accumulation and improve the overall cleanliness of inner neighbourhood roads. Complementing this, garbage collection vehicles will now play a theme song during collection rounds to inform residents and raise awareness about timely waste disposal.

Highlighting the dignity of labour, the meeting also proposed a unique measure encouraging sanitation workers to begin their day with prayer or meditation. Mayor Sarania noted that fostering a sense of mindfulness can help improve worker morale and promote a respectful work environment. Additionally, the GMC will soon roll out Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all waste management activities. These SOPs will include fixed garbage collection timings, optimized route planning, sweeping schedules, and mandatory use of safety gear to ensure both efficiency and safety for workers.

To ensure accountability among NGOs engaged in waste management, a performance-based certification system was also introduced. Under this system, NGOs will be evaluated and graded on a 10-mark scale, encouraging them to deliver quality service consistently.

Reaffirming the corporation’s long-term goals, Mayor Sarania said, “Our aim is not just better garbage collection, but to cultivate a culture of cleanliness and civic responsibility in Guwahati.”

This meeting marks a significant step in GMC’s ongoing Swachh Bharat Mission efforts and sets the tone for a more organized, inclusive, and sustainable urban waste management system in the city.

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