In a major step towards a cleaner and smarter city, the Mohali Municipal Corporation (MC) is set to introduce door-to-door garbage collection system from next month. The civic body has completed the process of awarding the contract to a private company for the project.
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The technical proposal for tender has already been approved, and the file has now been referred to the Local Government Department for final approval. Once approved, the proposal will be presented to the Finance and Contracts Committee for approval, after which a work order will be issued to the selected company. Officials expect the entire process to be completed by the end of November.
According to sources within the MC, the same company, ‘Suntan, Panchkula’, which currently manages waste at Resource Management Center (RMC) points has bagged the new contract for household waste collection as well. Although the final approval of the department is still pending, the company is expected to get Rs 2,350 per tonne for collecting waste directly from homes.
Sources said the collection fees from residents will be handled directly by the Mohali Municipal Corporation, which is currently evaluating three to four possible methods of billing. MC Commissioner Parminder Pal Singh explained, “Once the tender is completed and work begins, we will decide on the method of collection. One option is to add it to the property tax, another is to include it in the water bill, and if that is not possible, digital payments can be used through scanners. We are also exploring other user-friendly payment methods.”
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Separation at the source begins at the family level
Under the new system, the contractor will initially acquire 25 collection vehicles, each equipped with separate compartments for wet and dry waste. Residents will be encouraged to segregate waste at home, marking the beginning of segregation at source level across Mohali. In the second phase, the company will provide 25 additional vehicles, and the contractor may add more if necessary.
There is no job loss for existing waste pickers
In relief to the existing informal waste collectors, the sources assured that those responsible for collecting garbage on transport vehicles will not lose their jobs. Instead, under the new system, they will be engaged to help transport household waste to collection vehicles and ensure it reaches RMC points efficiently.
Waste collection fees have been completed
According to reliable information, the monthly door-to-door collection fees will range from Rs 70 to Rs 5,000, depending on the size and category of the property. An apartment will be charged Rs 70, while houses up to 250 square yards will pay Rs 110, houses up to 14 marla will pay Rs 120, and properties larger than that Rs 150. Small hotels and restaurants will pay around Rs 2,000, with prices increasing for larger establishments based on room capacity. Likewise, fees will be imposed on industrial units and educational institutions according to their area and operational size.
Through this initiative, Mohali is poised to become the first city in Punjab and perhaps in India to manage its waste effectively without the need for a landfill, setting an example of sustainable urban waste management.
(Tags for translation) Mohali
