Nagpur: Garbage generation in the city surged notably in the days leading up to Diwali with collection figures showing an increase of nearly 200 metric tonnes (MT) compared to the early days of October. According to Nagpur Municipal Corporation's (NMC) solid waste management department, the city now produces approximately 1,400MT of waste daily, a sharp rise from the 1,260MT average recorded in the first week of October.
The increase is attributed to the annual pre-Diwali cleaning drive, where households across the city engage in decluttering and thorough cleaning to prepare for the festivities. Over the five days immediately preceding Diwali, NMC recorded an average daily collection of between 1,350MT and 1,400MT waste.
AG Enviro, the agency entrusted with door-to-door garbage collection in several key zones — including Laxmi Nagar, Dharampeth, Hanuman Nagar, Dhantoli, and Nehru Nagar — reported a substantial increase, collecting between 690MT and 700MT over the past week daily. This collection rate marks a substantial jump from usual figures, underscoring the impact of pre-festival activities on waste management efforts.
In the remaining five zones — Gandhibagh, Satranjipura, Lakadganj, Ashi Nagar, and Mangalwari — waste management firm BVG Enviro witnessed a rise, collecting an average of 720MT per day.
Prior to the festive rush, Nagpur's waste generation in September averaged between 1,200MT and 1,250MT per day, indicating that pre-Diwali activities spiked garbage output by approximately 15%. NMC officials acknowledged the seasonal surge and emphasised the need for enhanced collection measures to prevent waste accumulation and maintain sanitation standards across the city.
The NMC has ensured that AG Enviro and BVG Enviro deploy additional resources and personnel to handle the increased volume, especially given the dense populations and commercial activity in zones like Gandhibagh and Dharampeth. The intensified efforts are expected to continue until Diwali, helping the city manage waste build-up and maintain cleaner streets for the festival season.