The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) will outsource solid waste management services to a single agency. The plan includes garbage collection, transportation, labour management, and vehicle maintenance across all wards in Mumbai.
Every day, Mumbai generates around 7,000 tonnes of waste. To manage this, about 1,334 vehicles are used. Most of these vehicles are owned by private contractors, while some are operated by the BMC. Out of 31,000 sweeper positions under the BMC, 8,000 are on contract. Some of these positions are still vacant.
Initially, a joint committee of seven labour unions opposed the tender. They demanded the cancellation of the plan and warned of a citywide walkout by all Conservancy staff.
Furthermore, the committee raised concerns about job security and benefits for workers. They asked that 8,000 contract workers be made permanent. They also sought protection for current employees and benefits for sweepers working in hospitals and at the Deonar abattoir.
In response, the BMC commissioner agreed to the demands. The city assured that no current employees would lose their jobs. The 8,000 contract workers will be regularised.
Following this, the unions dropped their protest and also withdrew court cases filed on the issue. It should be noted that, on May 14, 2025, the Solid Waste Management Department had already released a tender for the same.
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