The door-to-door garbage collection project was meant to be a turning point. But instead of relief, many residents are now stuck in a cycle of irregular pickups, foul smells, and constant follow-ups
The air hangs heavy with the sour stink of rotting garbage. Flies buzz around swollen black plastic bags piled in corners of busy streets. Dogs and cows pick at what spills out, leftovers of homes that trusted the system to keep their lanes clean. It’s mid-morning in Guwahati, but in many neighbourhoods, the garbage from yesterday or even the day before still has not been collected.
This is not the aftermath of a civic strike. This is everyday life for hundreds of residents across the city under the Guwahati Municipal Corporation’s (GMC) much-publicised Door-to-Door Garbage Collection initiative.
When the Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) launched its ambitious door-to-door garbage collection drive last year, it was marketed as a transformative step towards a cleaner, smarter Guwahati. Residents were promised efficiency, hygiene, and relief from decades of unorganised waste management. Unique house numbers were introduced with the hope of digitally mapping every home, enabling better civic services—from sanitation to emergency response.
The groundwork of this large-scale campaign was entrusted to GeoVista Technologies Private Limited, which was assigned to survey properties across the city and install smart number plates on each structure. These unique codes were meant to be the backbone of a citywide database that would streamline everything from waste collection to water bills.
But a year down the line, the enthusiasm has dimmed. On the ground, the situation appears scattered, inconsistent, and, for many residents, more frustrating than ever.
In Ganeshguri, one of Guwahati’s busiest localities, the residents now speak with more disappointment than hope.
Talking to GPlus, Bordoloi said, “The street vendors near our lane leave their waste on the streets. GMC vehicles come only to pick up packed garbage bags. The rest of the trash is left rotting for days. They were supposed to clean up the streets too, but now the stench stays for days.”
In Gotanagar, Jyoti, a resident, echoes a similar problem. “These vehicles barely come. It’s irregular. Sometimes, we have to call them several times before they show up. And even then, they leave behind half the waste.”
Meanwhile, in the more central Guwahati Club area, Gita Das shares her ordeal from a tenant’s perspective. “We live in a rented house. These collection vehicles refuse to pick up our waste unless we pay extra. But those who have lived here for years do not face this issue.”
In Last Gate, the situation remains no better. “In a week, they come only three or four times,” said a resident, asking not to be named. “There needs to be proper monitoring. This inconsistency defeats the entire purpose.”
An Inside Look: What GMC Officials Say
Talking to GPlus, a senior official from GMC acknowledged the system’s loopholes. “Yes, there is a gap. Right now, the number of vehicles is inadequate. We’ have outsourced the door-to-door collection project to several NGOs, who currently operate around 240 to 250 vehicles across the city. But that’s not enough.”
The official further admitted that behavior-related issues among residents are also posing challenges. “The vehicles usually arrive around 8 in the morning. But many residents leave for work before 7 AM. Instead of waiting or coordinating, some people throw their garbage near unauthorised spots not even transfer stations.”
However, GMC has assured that improvements are on the way. “Within the next 3-4 months, an additional 250 vehicles will be added to the fleet. We’ve already floated a tender and expect the new system to be operational within 30 days,” the official said. “The budget allocated for the additional vehicles is Rs 25-30 crore.”
GMC has also set up a toll-free complaint number—+9188110-07000—for residents to report delays or any form of irregularity. “We take complaints seriously. As soon as we receive one, our teams are sent out immediately,” the official added.
On Paper vs. On Road
The reality is that while the project appears structurally sound on paper, the implementation on the ground reveals a lack of coordination and urgency. Residents in many parts of the city say they feel left out, especially those living in rented accommodations or newly developed areas where digital mapping is yet to be updated.
One of the major complaints is the unequal treatment of long-term and new residents. “I shifted here six months ago. I still don’t have a house number plate. Without it, the garbage collectors refuse to pick up waste,” said a working professional in Kahilipara.
What Went Wrong: Experts Speak
Urban planning experts say the concept was visionary but flawed in its execution. “Unique house numbers linked to digital mapping is a brilliant idea. But a project of this magnitude requires strict monitoring, manpower, and constant updating,” said a retired city planner who worked with the GMDA.
He added, “The city is expanding rapidly. Unless the system evolves dynamically, it will always be five steps behind.”
Another issue flagged is the lack of awareness campaigns. “There was a buzz when it launched. After that, nothing. No follow-ups, no education on how to segregate waste or use the new system. People need to be involved. You can’t build civic responsibility on silence,” said an academic from a Guwahati college who specialises in community behaviour studies.
As Guwahati continues to grow, the pressure on its civic systems will only increase. The door-to-door garbage collection project was meant to be a turning point. But instead of relief, many residents are now stuck in a cycle of irregular pickups, foul smells, and constant follow-ups.
The GMC says change is coming—more vehicles, better monitoring, stricter systems. But will that be enough?
Will every street in Guwahati finally see timely garbage collection, not just a few select localities?
Will tenants and new residents be treated equally when it comes to basic services?
Will there be regular checks on the NGOs and workers who’ve been handed the job?
Will citizens be involved not just as people who pay taxes, but as partners in building a cleaner city?
And most importantly, how long will Guwahati’s people have to wait before promises turn into action?
Until those questions are answered with results on the ground, the smell of garbage and frustration will continue to linger in the air.
