Pune: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has approved the purchase of 81 garbage collection trucks, worth ₹8.1 crore, to improve waste collection in narrow streets and alleys. The decision, approved by the PMC’s estimate committee, will soon be followed by the tendering process.
The city generates between 2,300 and 2,400 tons of waste daily. Household waste is collected by waste pickers through the Clean Society initiative and then transported to waste collection centers using small garbage trucks.
In the central areas and newly included villages, narrow roads have prevented larger waste collection trucks from accessing these areas, causing delays in waste pickup.
As a result, residents have lodged numerous complaints. To address this issue, the solid waste management department has requested additional garbage trucks from the motor vehicle department.
An estimate of ₹8.1 crore has been prepared for the purchase of these trucks, and the estimate committee has given its approval, according to Jayant Bhosekar, Deputy Commissioner of the Municipal Corporation’s Motor Vehicle Department.
Current Fleet
The municipal corporation currently operates 374 garbage trucks, including 270 owned by the corporation and 104 leased. The new purchase will add 81 more trucks to the fleet.
The current fleet also includes 57 dumpers, 79 large garbage trucks, 39 BRCs, 53 compactors, and 57 tippers. Additionally, there are 93 RMCs, 56 compactors, and 25 BRCs on lease.
Current Problems
The waste collection system of PMC fails to meet the needs of the community. The collection times do not coincide with when waste is actually generated.
Restaurants, for example, produce waste late at night, around 11 PM or 12 AM, after closing, but municipal trucks collect garbage at fixed times that do not account for this schedule.
To address these issues, municipal services must adapt to the community's needs by considering more flexible collection times. Implementing multiple waste collections per day, instead of just one, could ensure timely and efficient waste removal.
By aligning waste collection with the actual generation times, particularly for late-night sources, the municipality can better manage waste and alleviate residents' concerns.
