Bengal announces QR-based waste tracking, distributing surplus food for poor
The West Bengal government on Friday announced a set of measures to modernise urban civic services, including a QR code-based system to identify every household
The West Bengal government on Friday announced a set of measures to modernise urban civic services, including a QR code-based system to identify every household for waste collection, GPS tracking of garbage collection vehicles, seating at 'Maa Ahar' canteens, and a plan to redistribute surplus food from hotels, restaurants and social events to people in need. Presenting the proposals during the discussion on the Urban Development and Municipal Affairs budget in the Assembly, department minister Agnimitra Paul said the steps were aimed at making municipal services more transparent, technology-driven and citizen-friendly. Read Full Story "Our goal is to ensure 100 per cent door-to-door waste collection, complete segregation of waste at source, scientific processing of daily waste, elimination of open dumping, and scientific remediation of legacy waste.
Technology will help us monitor the entire process in real time and improve service delivery," she said. Under the proposed system, every household in urban areas will be given a unique QR code, while all waste collection vehicles will be fitted with GPS trackers for real-time monitoring of routes and to ensure accountability. Paul said around 75,000 'Nirmal Bandhus' and 6,000 'Nirmal Sathis' are currently involved in waste collection and awareness drives across urban local bodies. Door-to-door waste collection has already been introduced in most municipal areas, and the government is now targeting 100 per cent segregation of waste at source. Paul said 16 new waste processing plants are currently operational in the state, while 67 more are under construction and are expected to become functional in the 2026-27 financial year.
Work on another 32 processing plants will also begin. She said the government has prepared a plan to scientifically clear legacy waste dumps by May 31, 2027, to reclaim urban land, reduce pollution and prevent groundwater contamination. She added that biometric attendance systems, material recovery facilities, decentralised waste processing units, composting facilities, bio-CNG production and circular economy-based waste management practices would be introduced across urban local bodies. Citizen grievance redressal platforms related to sanitation will also be strengthened for timely disposal of complaints. Announcing changes to the state's subsidised 'Maa Ahar' scheme, Paul said customers would soon be able to sit and eat at the canteens instead of standing or taking their meals away. "People visiting 'Maa Ahar' canteens will soon have seating arrangements, just like restaurants, without any increase in the price of meals.
The BriefWire