Pune: The PMC, along with SWaCH Cooperative Society, launched the ‘Swachhta Peth – Zero Waste Kasba Bhavani’ programme on Friday to provide 100% door-to-door waste collection in Kasba and Bhavani Peth.Explaining the project, Vidya Naiknavare, waste picker and board member of SWaCH, said, “This project has been designed to prioritise convenience of both waste pickers and citizens. Night-time waste collection, a replacement system and alternative staff would ensure uninterrupted service. In this pilot project, citizens would get a 7-day waste collection service. For every six of us, one extra waste picker would be working on the seventh day and PMC would support their remuneration. This way, the service would continue without interruptions.”
Naval Kishore Ram, PMC commissioner, told TOI that to reach everyone with SWaCH’s door-to-door waste collection service seven days a week, we will implement the slum subsidy and replacement system more effectively.Amogh Bhongle, lead of the outreach and communication of SWaCH (Solid Waste Collection and Handling), said, “The PMC announced an incentive allowance of Rs 50 for waste pickers in location with low-income residents to ensure the latter are not burdened by service charges. Shops and street vendors on Laxmi Road will be registered and waste pickers will provide them with services in the evening based on user fees.”
