Growing City, Growing Garbage: Ahmedabad's Collection Costs Soar to Rs 315 Crore

Ahmedabad : With the expansion of its borders, Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) finds itself grappling with a growing waste problem. The annual cost of garbage collection has climbed to a staggering Rs 315 crore, marking a significant increase from Rs 240 crore spent in 2023 and a whopping Rs 100 crore spent a decade ago.

The inclusion of areas like Bopal, Ghuma, Kathwada, and Chhoti Chiloda in 2021 is a major contributor to this rise. Additionally, the city's burgeoning population, new housing societies, and changing lifestyles fueled by online shopping and packaged food are leading to increased waste generation.

Responding to this challenge, AMC employs a two-pronged approach: door-to-door collection and "spot-to-dump" projects. However, the Solid Waste Department's recent study (January-December 2023) reveals an alarming trend – the seven wards generate an average of 89,707 metric tons of garbage annually, translating to nearly 3,000 metric tons per day.

"As the city expands, new areas, societies, and buildings emerge, naturally generating more waste," explains a representative from the Solid Waste Department. "Lifestyle changes, including packaged food and online shopping, further contribute to the problem."

To address this, AMC's Solid Waste Department runs awareness campaigns encouraging citizens to segregate wet and dry waste. However, the rising cost of garbage collection raises concerns about the long-term sustainability of existing practices. Whether AMC can successfully navigate this growing waste challenge while keeping costs in check remains to be seen.