Pune: SWaCH to continue waste collection

Following a pubic campaign by Pune citizens, the Municipal Corporation has announced it will extend the waste collection of the self-employed waste collectors SWaCH (Solid Waste Collection and Handling), contract.

Pune Mirror reports that the group’s contract has been extended after 110 corporators came together to support the body. Waste picker representatives had submitted a letter to Mayor Murlidhar Mohol, with over 25,000 pages full of citizens’ signatures, backing the cooperative. SWaCH members have stressed that the positive feedback from citizens and elected representatives underscore the amicable relationships they share with Punekars.

In January, it was reported that Pune was seeking a new private agency to handle SWM. Earlier, talks of inviting bids from private players to reportedly ensure fair competition were rife, with Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) wanting to privatize the process. However, both corporators and citizens have now seemingly stressed on SWaCH continuing with the waste collection services.

Picture Credit: Alex Marshall 2004, Clarke Energy Ltd, Mixed municipal waste, CC BY-SA 2.5