Coimbatore Corporation appoints new firm for solid waste management operations

Coimbatore Corporation appoints new firm for solid waste management operations

Coimbatore Corporation has appointed a new private firm to manage the city’s solid waste operations, following frequent protests and complaints concerning the previous contractor. The firm will be responsible for door-to-door waste collection, management of conservancy workers, and maintenance of the waste collection vehicle fleet across the city.

The decision follows repeated protests by contract workers, who accused Southern Solid Waste Management Company, the previous contractor, of failing to pay salaries on time, withholding Employees’ State Insurance (ESI) and Provident Fund (PF) contributions for over a year, and neglecting vehicle maintenance, which led to frequent breakdowns. The workers also raised concerns about the safety of the vehicles, many of which were reportedly operating without valid fitness certificates.

The company had initially been awarded a one-year contract, which expired on August 17, 2024. However, the Corporation had extended the contract until recent weeks due to the lack of an immediate alternative.

On Friday, a group of contract drivers staged a protest by halting waste collection services. In addition to demanding a wage increase from ₹488 to ₹720 per day, the workers called for the immediate settlement of outstanding dues.

The civic body has now engaged Srinivas Waste Management Services Private Limited which has taken over operations from May 1, 2025.

A senior official from the Corporation said that all vehicles used for waste collection were being sent for fitness certification. “Grievances redress camps for workers will be organised sector-wise, starting with the East Zone next week. Each sector covers 25 wards. These camps will primarily address the pending ESI and PF dues, while discussions regarding salary revisions are ongoing,” the official said.

The new firm has also committed to improving operations, with plans to procure three additional road-sweeping machines to augment the existing fleet of two, and to implement night-time waste collection for commercial establishments. It has assured the Corporation that all salary payments would be made on time and without discrepancies.