Pune Municipal Corporation’s (PMC) new road-sweeping policy has improved cleanliness across several parts of the city, with daily waste collection increasing by around 200 tonnes. The civic body has added 4,709 workers and transferred full responsibility for road sweeping to contractors to improve accountability and ensure regular cleaning of roads and public spaces.

The policy is being implemented on a trial basis from August 1 to October 31. Under the new arrangement, contractors are responsible not only for providing manpower but also for ensuring that sweeping work is carried out properly. Earlier, contractors were responsible mainly for supplying workers, while PMC health inspectors and supervisors had to monitor the work and ensure its completion.

PMC had around 5,500 permanent employees for road sweeping, but the workforce was insufficient. The civic body previously hired around 4,816 contractual workers through contractors across its 15 ward offices. Under the revised policy, the number of contractual workers engaged for sweeping has reached 9,523.

The administration has increased inspections to ensure compliance. Additional Municipal Commissioner Prajit Nair and Deputy Commissioner Santosh Warule have visited different parts of the city to review the work. Contractors found neglecting their duties have been fined lakhs of rupees, according to the report.

The revised system has helped improve cleaning on main roads as well as in smaller lanes and neighbourhoods. Waste accumulated along roads is being removed more promptly, while the quantity of soil, stones and gravel on roads has reportedly declined, reducing dust and the risk of roads becoming slippery. The administration has also claimed that political interference in the work has reduced.

PMC is now preparing to invite tenders for the next phase of the work. Additional Municipal Commissioner Prajit Nair said the civic body intends to make further improvements to cleanliness and make Pune cleaner and more attractive.