Nagpur: The Second Capital of Maharashtra is witnessing a significant surge in daily garbage collection, jumping from 1,200 metric tonnes (MT) to 1,450 MT in a span of a few months. The spike, recorded in December 2024, underscores the mounting waste generated by Nagpur’s 30 lakh residents, each contributing an average of 483 grams of garbage daily. This has prompted the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) to double down on its sanitation drive to improve its ranking in the Swachh Sarvekshan.
In 2019, NMC replaced its garbage collection contractor, M/s Kanak Resources Management Limited, with AG Enviro and BVG India to streamline door-to-door waste collection. Despite this move, the Nagpur’s national cleanliness ranking plunged from 27th in 2022 to 86th in 2023. The decline has spurred NMC to enhance its garbage collection and management efforts.
Until November 2024, the two contracted agencies collected and transferred 1,200–1,250 MT of waste daily to the Bhandewadi dumping yard. However, inconsistencies in door-to-door garbage collection created 341 garbage-prone spots across the city, where residents resorted to dumping waste. This lack of effective waste management contributed to Nagpur scoring zero in the garbage-free city category of the Swachh Bharat survey.
Recent data from NMC’s Solid Waste Management Department reveals that residents in Lakadganj zone are the highest contributors, generating 182.7 MT daily—12.46% of the city’s total waste. Ashi Nagar follows with 167.83 MT, and Gandhibagh zone, including Mahal, Ganjipeth, and Central Avenue, contributes 151.64 MT. These densely populated and commercially active areas are the largest contributors to the city’s mounting garbage.
Conversely, Dhantoli zone, home to hospitals and commercial complexes, generates the least waste at 124.47 MT daily. Satranjipura zone follows with 127.95 MT. “The variation in waste generation reflects differences in population density, commercial activities, and waste practices across zones,” explained a senior NMC official.
NMC’s intensified waste collection efforts are reflected in the rising tonnage. The civic body is focusing on systematic door-to-door garbage collection and disposal while urging residents to segregate waste at the source. However, challenges persist. Approximately 32.85% of waste dumped at the Bhandewadi yard monthly comprises mixed waste, hindering efficient disposal and recycling.
“Our priority is not just increasing the quantity but also improving the quality of waste management,” stated an official from NMC’s Solid Waste Management Department. The corporation has ramped up public awareness campaigns to encourage better waste segregation and compliance, aiming to restore Nagpur’s standing in cleanliness rankings.
The growing garbage crisis paints a stark picture of the city’s sanitation challenges, but with NMC’s renewed focus and citizen participation, Nagpur aspires to turn the tide and reclaim its lost glory in cleanliness standards.