Embrace collaborative waste reforms to improve ranking

Adopt multifaceted approach

Ludhiana’s dismal ranking in the recent Swachh Survekshan for waste processing and dumpsite remediation is due to a combination of legacy waste backlog, poor source segregation, ineffective infrastructure, delayed processing initiatives and continued illegal dumping. Unless these foundational issues are

not addressed, the city’s Swachh Survekshan performance is likely to remain low. To address this, a collaborative and multifaceted approach is required. Initially, governance must enhance its accountability. Transparency in waste management contracts, regular audits and performance-based assessments for municipal authorities will improve monitoring. Appointing dedicated task teams to supervise day-to-day activities can avert neglect. Secondly, awareness campaigns on waste segregation at the source may motivate citizens to assume responsibility. Finally, Ludhiana requires investment in waste management infrastructure, encompassing material recovery facilities, composting units and scientific landfill remediation. Public-private partnerships can expedite this process, but all funds must be fully leveraged. Cleaning in Ludhiana requires more than one stakeholder. Only when citizens, officials and infrastructure systems work together can the city evolve from waste to wellness.

Novin Christopher

Make MC officials approachable

Ludhiana is the most populous city of Punjab. Daily cleaning of five-seven hours is not enough for our city. The time demands double shifts, like day and night, for proper cleaning. The whole city must be covered and a team should be instituted to supervise cleaners on a daily basis. Being one of the biggest corporations in the state the MC needs to start thinking differently. There are many types of industries in the city like textile, forging, electroplating etc. The corporation needs to fix many things along with increasing the budget and staff and involve some AI-based start-ups to aid in the cleaning of the city. Ludhiana is the Manchester of India. But the corporation’s working culture is like it was in the 90’s. The MC should make some policy changes and encourage the participation of industries in helping make the city cleaner. Garbage lifting management should be proper and a zone-wise weekly survey and audit should be done. This will create more competition between all the MC zones and wards. The government should hold cleanliness competitions on a monthly/quarterly basis in all government and non-governmenal institutions. The MC should follow models of Nagpur and Surat’s civic bodies. The government should also give out a state-wide ranking for the best MCs. MC officials should also be more approachable to the common man. Their contact information should be put up in each ward so that citizens can lodge complaints easily.

Manish Dhawan

Improve recycling infrastructure

Ludhiana roads and streets are mostly filled with waste and garbage because individuals throw waste in public places. The waste in Ludhiana is not properly managed. Waste is mainly of two kinds: dry and wet. Dry waste includes materials like paper and plastic, while wet waste mostly consists of food items. Such waste is usually scattered everywhere. Plastic waste is especially harmful, as it causes many diseases and is non-biodegradable. It includes items such as wrappers and polythene packets. The government should provide proper facilities to convert waste into useful products. People should also take responsibility to keep their surroundings clean. The government must take strict action against those who throw waste on roads. Many harmful diseases spread due to this waste, which is not good for health and the environment at large.

Komalpreet Kaur

Focus on Public-private partnerships

Ludhiana’s low score in Swachh Survekshan is a result of systemic lapses in solid waste management. The fire at the Tajpur Road landfill in June 2024 exposed the hazardous build-up of untreated legacy waste, lack of leachate control and the absence of scientific capping methods. The city generates over 1,200 tonnes of garbage daily, yet lacks functional material recovery facilities (MRFs) and waste-to-energy (WTE) infrastructure. Citizen apathy towards source segregation and the unregulated dumping of bulk waste by generators exacerbates the crisis. A technical fix requires immediate bio-mining of dumpsites, GIS-based waste tracking, decentralised composting units and public-private partnerships (PPPs) for processing infrastructure. Civic engagement through digital reporting platforms and school-based swachh clubs can foster long-term behavioural change.

Jaspreet Singh

Residents must use two-dustbin system

To climb in the Swachh Survekshan rankings and become a leading example of cleanliness and sustainability, Ludhiana needs a focused and practical approach. The foundation lies in ensuring every household practices 100 per cent door-to-door waste collection with proper segregation, using a simple two-bin system. Areas plagued by garbage dumping must be identified and transformed into clean, welcoming public spaces through community participation. Forming ward-level cleanliness committees involving volunteers, students and residents will help monitor progress and raise awareness. Decentralised composting units in parks, neighbourhoods and markets will reduce landfill waste and encourage environmentally friendly habits. Regular ward-wise cleanliness scores will foster friendly competition and highlight where efforts need to be strengthened. Strict enforcement of anti-littering laws, spot fines for offenders and accountability for contractors are essential to maintain discipline. Ludhiana can also learn from successful strategies adopted by other cities and adapt them to its unique needs. Above all, this mission requires a united effort driven by pride and responsibility — “Mera Ludhiana, Meri Zimmedari.” Change won’t happen by waiting; it begins with each one of us. A clean city is not just a dream, but a commitment we all share.

Manmeen Kaur

Reduce reliance on landfills

Ludhiana’s terrible Swachh Survekshan score is mostly due to two factors: inadequate trash segregation knowledge among individuals and lax enforcement by municipal officials. To solve this, a citywide door-to-door awareness campaign involving RWAs, schools and local influencers should be developed to encourage homes to separate wet and dry garbage. Simultaneously, hefty fines should be imposed on bulk trash generators who break the laws. The Municipal Corporation must invest in decentralised waste processing facilities in each zone to reduce reliance on landfills. Transparency in governance, along with real-time monitoring via mobile apps, will assure accountability. Only when civic sense and civic systems function in tandem can Ludhiana expect to remedy the problem.

Tamanpreet Kaur Khangura

Adopt multi-pronged approach

Ludhiana scored zero per cent in the recent Swachh Survekshan for waste processing and dumpsite remediation. This is a worrisome situation and calls for immediate attention. There are many factors which have contributed to this such as the state government’s apathy, Municipal Corporation’s lethargic attitude, lack of civic sense among residents etc. This has led to huge mounds of waste springing up everywhere. It has made living in the city hell as foul smell emanates from the piling waste. In the absence of proper processing of legacy waste, the environment is degrading by the day. The primary types of waste include organic, hazardous, solid, liquid and recyclable waste. Each type uniquely impacts the environment, with improper disposal leading to issues like pollution, health risks and resources depletion. To manage this waste, a multi-pronged strategy is needed. Award new tenders to experienced firms that possess cutting-edge technologies in waste processing, shunt out employees who are lackadaisical in performing their duty. People should follow municipal authorities’ waste management guidelines and not throw waste materials in open spaces. The state government should enact strict laws that warn residents about the dangers of open dumping garbage. Violators should face financial penalties. All these measures have the potential to enhance the waste processing in Ludhiana and make it free from garbage and pollution.

Sukhdev Sharma

Launch awareness campaigns

Ludhiana’s zero score in the recent Swachh Survekshan for waste processing reflects serious issues like public apathy, lack of awareness, poor infrastructure and weak governance. Many citizens are still unaware of waste segregation and often dispose of garbage openly. At the same time, there is a clear failure in consistent waste collection, dumpsite remediation and coordination among municipal departments. To improve this, we must launch strong awareness campaigns across schools, colleges and residential areas to educate people. Authorities should ensure accountability through strict monitoring and transparency. Local communities, especially youth and resident welfare associations (RWAs), should be encouraged and rewarded for taking the lead in cleanliness efforts. Together, with collaboration between citizens and administration, Ludhiana can turn this failure into a success and set an example for sustainable urban living.

Parmeet kaur

Ensure door-to-door waste collection

Swachh Survekshan is an annual survey of cleanliness, hygiene and sanitation in cities across India. It was launched as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, which is a cleanliness campaign run by the Government of India. The survey intends to foster a spirit of healthy competition among cities to improve their services and move towards creating cleaner ones. Ludhiana has bagged the 39th position out of 40 cities in the national ranking under the Swachh Survekshan 2024-25. In order to improve this ranking, residents should be urged to keep their surroundings clean. Swachhta slogans, paintings and graffiti should be displayed on walls at prominent places and rallies and seminars should be frequently organised to spread awareness about the importance of cleanliness. The MC should ensure 100 per cent door-to-door garbage collection and the rag-pickers should be given tips on efficient collection and segregation of waste. More portable compactors should be installed to segregate and manage the waste. Community toilets should be kept clean and industries should set-up effluent treatment plants. Those who litter public places should be penalised and dustbins should be kept in busy markets.

RS Sembhi

Residents must cooperate with admn

To fix the problem a multi-stakeholder approach is needed. Here’s a breakdown of the biggest roadblocks and suggestions to get a better ranking in the survey. Educate citizens about the importance of segregating waste, dumping garbage legally and avoiding throwing garbage on roads or in vacant plots or spaces. Use local influencers to help promote segregation. The local government must reward compliant households with tax rebates or recognition and enforce penalties for open dumping. Zero ranking may be due to poor monitoring, corruption and a lack of accountability in municipal solid waste management. To avoid this, the local administration must assign ward-level officers for higher accountability. The authorities concerned must partner with private firms for efficient waste collection and processing. Residents must cooperate with the local government for proper implementation of policies to keep the city neat and clean.

Mohd Saleem Farooqui

Plant more trees around waste mounds

Ludhiana’s zero score in Swachh Survekshan for waste processing and dumpsite remediation reflects deep issues in governance, infrastructure and public awareness. The core problems include a lack of waste segregation, outdated processing systems and unmanaged landfills. To improve, solid and liquid waste must be collected separately from households. Modern waste management technologies, like those used in cleaner cities such as Indore, should be adopted. Dumpsite remediation can be supported by planting more trees around waste heaps. Public awareness campaigns are vital to encourage citizen participation. At the same time, the government must take strong, timely actions and ensure accountability at all levels. By combining infrastructure upgrades, technology, greenery and civic engagement, Ludhiana can move towards a cleaner, healthier future.

Navneet Singh

Impose fines on violators

To make our cities cleaner and healthier, it is important that people are made fully aware of the harmful effects of dumping waste in open areas. Public awareness campaigns should be launched to educate citizens about proper waste disposal and the importance of keeping their surroundings clean. One of the key steps is the segregation of waste at the source. Dry and wet waste must be collected separately in every household and locality. To support this, two dustbins (one for dry waste and one for wet waste) should be installed at all important locations like outside hospitals, schools, malls, markets and other public places. This helps in organised waste management and makes recycling easier. Additionally, new trees should be planted near waste collection points to reduce pollution. The government must introduce strict rules and enforce fines on societies or individuals who are found dumping waste carelessly. Strict implementation of such rules, along with community participation, can bring a major transformation in cleanliness and public health across the country

Ishpreet kaur

Install CCTV cameras across city

Ludhiana’s failure in Swachhata Survey is not just about a score it reflects a lack of public awareness, poor waste management and administrative failure. The general public should keep their neighbourhood streets and road clean. Open dumping of garbage has led to several problems, a major one being people the spread of disease. Just as we keep our house clean, we should also keep our city clean. The administration should create awareness among the public. The authorities concerned should also install CCTV cameras on the road so that anyone who litters on the road can be fined. It is the duty of every citizen to pay attention to maintaining cleanliness.

Prabhjot Kaur

Address flaws in waste mgmt

Ludhiana scored zero in the recent Swachh Survekshan because of three main problems: people not caring, poor government work, and system issues. Many citizens throw garbage in open areas and don’t use dustbins properly. The government is also not managing waste well—dustbins are often full, and garbage is not collected or treated properly. The system is weak, with not enough treatment plants or garbage vehicles. To fix this, citizens need to become more responsible and stop littering. The government should improve waste collection and build better facilities. Together, with public support, better awareness and proper planning, Ludhiana can become a cleaner city.

Puneet kaur

Residents must segregate waste

The biggest roadblocks are clearly citizen apathy, governance gaps and infrastructure failure. Citizens must be vigilant and aware of how to handle waste segregation, which should be mandatory at the household level. The government must enforce strict rules and penalties for those who ignore proper disposal practices. A major issue is the lack of proper disposal sites and functioning dumpsites. Waste collectors should also refuse to pick up mixed waste, reinforcing the importance of segregation. This isn’t just a failure of governance or infrastructure, but a serious failure on the part of Ludhiana’s citizens, who often neglect the city’s hygiene and cleanliness. To bring real change, a joint, responsible effort by the authorities concerned and residents is essential. Only then can Ludhiana improve its rankings and truly become a cleaner, healthier city.

Anshpreet Kaur

Install dutbins in public places

The recent Swachh Survekshan report, revealing Ludhiana’s zero per cent score in waste processing and dumpsite remediation is an alarming situation. This is due to a number of factors. One of the most pressing roadblocks is the widespread neglect among citizens, marked by a “not my duty” attitude. The lack of awareness about basic waste segregation, separating dry and wet waste, leads to ineffective processing right from the start. People continue to dump garbage openly in public spaces with little regard for civic responsibility. Though guidelines for proper garbage disposal have been formulated, their implementation by authorities remains weak. Moreover, infrastructure failure in terms of no proper system for landfills and no consistent arrangement for door-to-door garbage collection, especially in suburban areas intensifies the issue. The need of the hour is collective action by both citizens and authorities alike. Public awareness campaigns must be launched to educate people about the importance of waste segregation. Authorities need to install well-marked dustbins in public areas, and launch city-wide cleanliness drives. Moreover, a comprehensive master plan for waste management of the city must be developed and strictly implemented. Just as we keep our homes clean, it is our shared responsibility to keep our city clean. Cleanliness is a culture that must be built by every citizen and enforced by every authority.

Tanveen Kaur

Participate in cleanliness drives

Ludhiana’s zero per cent score in the recent Swachh Survekshan audit is a wake-up call. The main reasons behind this failure are poor waste management systems, lack of public awareness and weak enforcement by civic authorities. While many areas lack proper garbage bins or regular collection, citizens also need to take responsibility by not littering and participating in cleanliness drives. To fix this, we need a combined effort of improved infrastructure, stricter monitoring and strong awareness campaigns. Only when both authorities and citizens act together can we truly clean up our city and improve future rankings.

Harneet kaur

Offer cleanliness rewards to residents

To dealing with dumpsite remediation, we need to take significant steps in every sector. For instance, people need to be made aware of the problems that occur due to dumpsites. When people understand how harmful this garbage is, and the diseases that arise from it, we should encourage them to clean their surrounding areas. To deal with this problem, the government should launch a campaign to make the city garbage-free. The Government should create a WhatsApp group where people can upload videos of their efforts. These people must be rewarded.

Prabhjot kaur