With the number of patients suffering from various diseases, including dengue, rising in the city, the issue of waste management has once again come to the fore. A PCMC official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, stated that the accumulation of garbage at various places and its improper disposal is a major reason behind the spread of diseases.
The waste-to-energy project at the Moshi garbage depot had been operational since 2023. On July 8, 2026, a large mound of garbage collapsed on a building there, resulting in the deaths of 9 workers. The project has been shut down since then, exacerbating the issue of the final disposal of the city's waste.
The concerned official said that although daily garbage collection from the suburbs continues, the subsequent stages of segregation, processing, and final disposal have been affected. Consequently, this issue is no longer just about sanitation but is now linked to public health.
Municipal Commissioner Dr. Vijay Suryawanshi announced in a meeting on July 15 that modern, odour-free waste processing centres would be set up at various locations across the city. Accordingly, sites have been identified at 10 locations; however, it is likely to take a considerable amount of time for these centres to actually become operational.
Clarity is expected from the municipal corporation regarding how the city's garbage issue will be temporarily resolved until the system in Moshi is restored or alternative centres are commissioned.
