Garbage alert SMS service a hit among citizens

The SMS facility launched by the solid waste management (SWM) department of Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) to report about garbage not picked up is a huge hit. Civic officials are receiving nearly 30 SMSes daily.

Launched by the civic body nine months ago, if garbage in your area is not picked up, all one has to do is just send an SMS to PMC.

According to the department officials, most of the complaints through SMS are sent by the residents of Kasba Peth, Vimannagar, Yerawada and Hadapsar areas.

Speaking to dna, solid waste management cell head Suresh Jagtap said, “Nearly 1,500 to 1,600 tonne solid waste is generated daily in the city and we have placed nearly 1,200 containers across the city to collect the waste. Our staff collects the waste every day but since we have shortage of vehicles, sometimes our staff cannot reach to some areas.”

He said that the SMS alert system is proving to be very useful to senior officials as citizens are using this facility in large numbers. “SMSes are checked in the morning and afternoon before sending these messages to sanitary inspectors of respective areas. The officials are told to ensure that garbage is lifted within six to eight hours after we receive the SMS,” Jagtap said.

PMC has now decided to pick up solid waste not only from containers but also from roadsides and nullahs. Officials have appealed to citizens to send SMSes regarding garbage lying in these places also.

Use the facility
Citizens can register complaints about piling of garbage in their respective areas by typing ALERT G and container location before sending the SMS to 9223050607. Complaints can also be registered online by logging on www.pmcalert.org and clicking on garbage alert.