Erratic Garbage Collection Poses Health Risks in Visakhapatnam

Visakhapatnam’s door-to-door garbage collection under the Clean Andhra Pradesh (CLAP) scheme has become increasingly unreliable, raising concerns over sanitation in the city. Residents say vehicles frequently skip duty because drivers have not been paid regularly, resulting in days when garbage collection comes to a complete halt.

“On some days, the garbage from our street just piles up. We have no choice but to leave it on the roadside, which attracts stray animals and blocks drains,” said S. Ramesh, a resident of MVP Colony.

The Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) operates 610 CLAP vehicles, including 65 e-autos, each assigned to about 1,000 households. Vehicles are expected to make three trips per day, carrying 700 kg of garbage per trip to the nearest Material Segregation Facility (MSF). However, officials admit that most vehicles complete only one or two trips, and the actual garbage collected is often far below the mandated quantity.

“The GPS devices and CCTV monitoring that helped us track collections are no longer functional. We are largely relying on staff records, which can be manipulated,” said a GVMC official who requested anonymity.

Allegations suggest many vehicles are operational only three to four days a week, leaving residents unable to store waste safely. Blocked sewage, mosquito breeding, and scattered litter from stray dogs and cattle have become widespread problems. Despite these issues, GVMC continues to pay Rs. 64,000 per vehicle each month, totaling Rs. 3.9 crore, without verifying the number of trips or days worked.

Commissioner Ketan Garg has recently stepped up monitoring efforts. “We have instructed ward sanitation secretaries to ensure daily collection and penalise residents for improper dumping. Employees will also be held accountable if vehicles fail to meet targets,” he said. Officials hope that stricter oversight will improve efficiency and prevent health hazards in the city.