Door-to-door waste collection rises from 45% to 72% in Dehradun after DMC takeover

Dehradun: The Dehradun Municipal Corporation (DMC) has claimed that door-to-door waste collection coverage in the city has increased from 45% to 72% since Feb 2025, when it took over operations from third-party agencies. The civic body, which ranked 62nd in the Swachh Survekshan 2024-25 (big cities category), said the move was aimed at improving waste management and overall performance.Senior officials said the decision was taken to streamline operations and reduce dependence on private contractors. "There were regular strikes by sanitation staff over payment issues and waste collection remained erratic. This prompted the corporation to take over. Coverage has improved, with scope for further gains," municipal commissioner Namami Bansal said.Officials said fleet strength has increased from around 215 vehicles to nearly 280, with GPS-based tracking and real-time monitoring introduced to improve accountability. As many as 57 wards under direct municipal management have been linked with self-help groups (SHGs), generating Rs 62 lakh in a single quarter through user charges.Daily complaints have dropped from around 90 to 8-10 following the takeover, while strike days have reduced from 33 to zero, officials said.The corporation is now focusing on eliminating garbage vulnerable points (GVPs). More than 60 have been cleared, while another 65 remain under surveillance. Clearing waste from river systems is also a priority, with 15,000 metric tonnes already removed under the Renew Rispana drive.Officials added that of over four lakh metric tonnes of legacy waste each at the Danda Lakhond and Sheeshambara sites, nearly two lakh metric tonnes at each site are under active remediation, reducing landfill height and environmental risk."The Sheeshambada waste processing plant has expanded from 350 TPD to 550-600 TPD, enabling higher throughput and backlog reduction. The Kargi transfer station has been upgraded into a mechanised facility with hydraulic compactors and sealed transport, reducing spillage. The Dhoran transfer station has also been redeveloped to improve transportation efficiency," Bansal said.With the monsoon approaching, the corporation plans to strengthen complaint redressal through a 24x7 disaster control room and quick response teams. "ICCC integration, drone monitoring, CCTV surveillance, QR-based citizen services and mechanised road sweeping have improved transparency and efficiency," she said.Bansal added that the roadmap includes procuring 100 electric auto-tippers, setting up EV charging infrastructure, strengthening the sanitation workforce and eliminating the remaining GVPs under SBM-U 2.0.The city generates around 500-550 metric tonnes of municipal solid waste daily across 100 wards spread over 196 sq km.