In a first in the city, division 199 (Uthandi) in Sholinganallur zone, has been converted into an all-women division, after Urbaser Sumeet, a private company appointed by the Greater Chennai Corporation to carry out conservancy works, employed a conservancy team comprising only women.

The all-women team receiving instructions from their supervisor.
Chennai: The division has a team of 40 women conservancy employees, of which 32 are sweepers and 6 are drivers of battery-operated vehicles that collect garbage door-to-door. The supervisor and assistant supervisors are also women and the initiative has been named ‘Sakthi’.
“The initiative was taken to provide employment and financial independence to marginalised women, single mothers and those who run families,” Hari Balaji VR, Head, Information, Education and Communication (IEC), Urbaser Sumeet, said. “By nature, women know the knack of harmonious approach in whatever area they are involved in. Due to process orientated thinking, they progress positively and create tremendous impact. We will train more women in the future,” Balaji added.
Corporation Chief Engineer (Solid Waste Management) N Mahesan said the civic body plans to convert one division in each of the 15 city zones into all-women divisions.
“The initiative was taken to provide employment and financial independence to marginalised women, single mothers and those who run families,” Hari Balaji VR, Head, Information, Education and Communication (IEC), Urbaser Sumeet, said. “By nature, women know the knack of harmonious approach in whatever area they are involved in. Due to process orientated thinking, they progress positively and create tremendous impact. We will train more women in the future,” Balaji added.
Corporation Chief Engineer (Solid Waste Management) N Mahesan said the civic body plans to convert one division in each of the 15 city zones into all-women divisions.
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