Surat: The city is witnessing a significant increase in the amount of waste generated in homes, offices, and factories due to extensive cleaning activities ahead of Diwali. To manage this, the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) typically runs door-to-door garbage collection vehicles. However, in some areas, the shortage of vehicles has created difficulties for residents, and the recent surge in waste has further strained the system. To address this, the SMC plans to deploy tractors in select areas for additional garbage collection.

During the Health Committee meeting on Wednesday, officials discussed key issues related to waste management, including the increased load during festive periods. Normally, the city generates around 3,000 tonnes of garbage daily, but during Diwali, this rises to over 4,000 tonnes. The committee considered the deployment of tractors in certain areas to handle the excess waste. Health Committee Chairperson Nancyben Shah said the municipal corporation has initiated procedures to acquire new garbage collection vehicles to meet the city’s requirements. Until the new vehicles arrive, a proposal will be submitted to the Mayor and Municipal Commissioner to operate tractors for about a month.

With the city’s population continuously growing and new areas being added, the number of garbage collection vehicles also needs to be increased. The municipal corporation has already started the process, and the purchase of new vehicles is expected in the coming days.

Plans to streamline textile waste management

Additionally, being a major textile hub, Surat produces large quantities of textile waste, with many industrial units improperly disposing of it, creating problems for residents and municipal authorities. The SMC has now initiated steps to manage textile waste systematically. During Wednesday’s meeting, Nancyben Shah also directed officials and committee members to study and survey textile waste management systems implemented in other cities across the country, aiming to adopt effective practices in Surat.