Drones and night operations enable MCH tackle surge in waste during Kanwad Yatra 

PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE | Haridwar

The Municipal Corporation of Haridwar (MCH) implemented an adaptive model combining compostable liner garbage bags and drone surveillance to maintain waste management operations during the peak of the Kanwad Yatra when the crowd of devotees surged and the movement of traditional waste collection vehicles came under pressure.

The Haridwar additional municipal commissioner Deepak Goswami said that with over 2.5 crore devotees participating so far, the corporation has kept solid waste management systems functional despite limited resources. As crowd density and traffic pressure fluctuated, the corporation adjusted its field operations strategy accordingly. He informed that to address slow vehicle movement during the day, the corporation introduced a night-time waste collection window between 12 AM and 4 AM.

During this period, mixed waste collected in compostable liner bags by sanitation workers was picked up at a faster pace. Goswami said that the corporation used drones for monitoring locations where frequent physical inspection was not possible. Drones identified high-pressure areas and sanitation teams were deployed to collect waste in liner bags and ensure timely disposal. He stated that anticipating rainfall, the corporation deployed sewer suction vehicles in Pantdweep and other vulnerable areas.

These vehicles are operating in two shifts to manage waterlogging risks. He said that the Kanwad Yatra is in its final days and the corporation has strengthened its efforts to handle the anticipated rise in waste generation. Additional measures have been put in place to ensure uninterrupted garbage collection and timely disposal, even in the event of heavy rainfall, he added.