Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC) Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargav has welcomed Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar’s plan to visit Indore to study its acclaimed waste management model. Indore has consistently held the title of India's cleanest city for seven consecutive years, as per the Swachh Survekshan rankings, making it a benchmark for urban cleanliness and waste management.
Commenting on the Karnataka Deputy CM’s proposed visit, Mayor Bhargav remarked that it was a positive step for the Congress-led government in Karnataka to seek inspiration from successful models across the country.
He emphasised that Indore is not only the cleanest city in India but also a realization of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for a cleaner nation. Bhargav extended a warm invitation to any city wishing to learn from Indore’s achievements in maintaining cleanliness and efficient waste management.
Meanwhile, Additional Commissioner of Indore Municipal Corporation and Waste Management Incharge, Abhilash Mishra, highlighted the standard protocol followed when delegations visit Indore to study its waste management system.
He explained that the first aspect showcased to visitors is the door-to-door garbage collection and waste segregation process, which is the foundation of Indore’s success in waste management.
While he was not specifically aware of Karnataka’s planned visit, he noted that every visiting team is introduced to this model early in the morning, witnessing firsthand how waste is collected and segregated at the source.
Mishra emphasized that Indore’s waste management strategy is not imposed from the top down but has been developed with the active participation of citizens, making it a sustainable and effective system.
After demonstrating the initial waste collection process, officials provide detailed documentation and showcase key waste processing facilities, including the bio-CNG plant, NEPRA recycling center, and decentralized waste processing units. These models serve as references for other cities seeking to implement similar systems.
Furthermore, visiting teams are given opportunities to interact with Indore’s waste management experts and municipal staff who have been working on the project for the past seven to eight years. The objective is to provide a comprehensive understanding of Indore’s approach so that other regions can replicate it effectively.
The announcement of Karnataka’s interest in Indore’s model comes amid challenges in managing waste in the state. On March 14, Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar addressed the State Assembly, acknowledging that solid waste management had become a pressing issue, with allegations of corruption and administrative hurdles.
He mentioned that past tenders had been stalled due to legal battles initiated by vendors, while some MLAs were allegedly making financial demands in connection with garbage disposal sites. The Deputy CM also referred to opposition accusations that he had misappropriated Rs 15,000 crores, a claim he dismissed.
Given these challenges, the Karnataka government is looking to Indore’s model for insights on tackling its waste management crisis efficiently.
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