In a groundbreaking move toward sustainable urban development, Mohali is preparing to launch a comprehensive door-to-door waste collection system that could make it the first city in Punjab—and potentially all of India—to manage municipal waste effectively without relying on traditional dumping grounds.
Revolutionary Waste Management System
The Mohali Municipal Corporation (MC) has completed the process of awarding a contract to a private company for this ambitious project, with implementation scheduled to begin next month. According to official sources, the technical bid for the tender has been cleared, and the file has been forwarded to the Department of Local Government for final approval.
The entire approval process is expected to be completed by the end of November 2025, following which the proposal will move to the Finance and Contract Committee. Once cleared, a work order will be issued to the selected company to commence operations.
Contract Details and Payment Structure
Sources within the MC have revealed that Suntan, Panchkula, the company currently managing waste at resource management centre (RMC) points, has been awarded the new contract for household waste collection as well. Although final departmental approval is still pending, the company is expected to receive Rs 2,350 per tonne for collecting waste directly from residents' homes.
The collection charges from residents will be handled directly by the Mohali Municipal Corporation, which is currently evaluating three to four billing methods. MC Commissioner Parminder Pal Singh explained the various payment options under consideration.
"Once the tender is finalised and work begins, we'll decide on the mode of collection," Singh stated. "One option is to add it to the property tax, another is to include it in the water bill, and if that's not feasible, digital payments through scanners may be used. We're also exploring other user-friendly payment methods."
Waste Segregation and Vehicle Deployment
The new system will introduce source-level segregation across Mohali, with residents encouraged to separate wet and dry waste at home. The contractor will initially receive 25 collection vehicles, each equipped with separate compartments for different waste types.
In the second phase of implementation, the MC will provide an additional 25 vehicles, with the contractor having the option to add more if required to ensure comprehensive coverage across the city.
Monthly Charges Based on Property Type
The Municipal Corporation has finalized a tiered pricing structure for the door-to-door collection service:
- Flats: Rs 70 per month
- Houses up to 250 square yards: Rs 110 per month
- Properties up to 14 marlas: Rs 120 per month
- Larger properties: Rs 150 per month
- Small hotels and eateries: Approximately Rs 2,000 per month
- Larger establishments: Rates based on room capacity
- Industrial units and educational institutions: Charges according to area and operational size
Commercial establishments could pay up to Rs 5,000 monthly depending on their size and waste generation capacity.
Protecting Existing Waste Workers
In a significant relief measure, existing informal waste collectors who currently collect garbage using carts will not lose their livelihoods under the new system. Instead, they will be integrated into the formal waste management process, assisting in transferring household waste into collection vehicles and ensuring efficient transportation to RMC points.
This inclusive approach ensures that the transition to a modern waste management system doesn't come at the cost of existing employment, while simultaneously improving working conditions for waste collection staff.
With this comprehensive initiative, Mohali is positioned to set a new benchmark for urban waste management in northern India, demonstrating that cities can effectively manage waste without relying on environmentally harmful dumping grounds.
