Amritsar MC reviews door-to-door waste collection, warns of strict action

A review meeting on door-to-door solid waste collection in Amritsar was held on Thursday with RRR Company, the agency engaged for waste collection in the city. The meeting was convened as per the directions of Municipal Commissioner Bikramjit Singh Shergill and was chaired by Additional Commissioner Surinder Singh. The objective was to review ongoing waste collection operations, assess compliance with contract conditions and solid waste management rules, and issue directions for further improvement in services.

During the review, the Additional Commissioner conducted a zone-wise assessment of waste collection and emphasised the need for immediate improvement in commercial areas such as markets, shops, hotels, restaurants, and bulk waste generators. Key decisions taken during the meeting included ensuring 100 per cent door-to-door waste collection in all residential and commercial areas. Special priority was given to increasing the frequency and coverage of waste collection in commercial zones. Emphasis was also laid on source-level management of wet waste, and bulk waste generators were directed to strictly comply with prescribed rules.

It was clarified that no user charges shall be collected in cash from commercial establishments and that recovery must be made only through approved modes. Directions were issued for deploying separate vehicles and preparing suitable route plans specifically for commercial areas.

All waste collection vehicles will be required to display ward numbers and on-call vehicle details. Zone-wise improvement in vehicle deployment and collection timings was also directed. To strengthen monitoring and public feedback, a QR code-based system will be introduced. The provision of electricity connections at required locations will be considered, subject to feasibility and necessary approvals. RRR Company has been directed to submit a detailed ward-wise action plan by Monday. Orders were also issued to appoint a dedicated nodal officer for billing and coordination purposes.

The Additional Commissioner stated that the work would be closely monitored and any violation of contract conditions would invite strict action as per rules. Reiterating its commitment to strengthening the city’s sanitation system, the Amritsar Municipal Corporation appealed to citizens, particularly commercial establishments, to cooperate in maintaining cleanliness and ensuring proper waste segregation.

The meeting was attended by Punjab Municipal Infrastructure Development Company (PMIDC) representative Kavya, officials of RRR Company, and senior officials of the Municipal Corporation Amritsar, including MOH Dr Kiran, Dr Yogesh Arora, Dr Rama, Chief Sanitary Inspector Malkiat Singh, along with all CSIs.