Safai Mitras receive training on waste segregation, efficient household collection, citizen coordination and proper use of personal protective equipment
YAMUNANAGAR | PEN OF DEMOCRACY NEWS DESK
The Municipal Corporation, Yamunanagar, on Thursday organised a special training programme for Safai Mitras engaged in door-to-door waste collection at Pyara Chowk, with the objective of strengthening the city’s sanitation system and improving the efficiency, safety and overall quality of household waste collection services. The programme was organised under the directions of Mayor Suman Bahmani and Municipal Commissioner Mahabir Prasad.
During the training session, Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban expert Akash Kumar provided detailed guidance to the sanitation workers on several important aspects of modern waste management. The focus remained on source-level waste segregation, systematic door-to-door collection, maintaining cleanliness during waste handling and the proper use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
The Safai Mitras were informed that effective waste management begins at the point where waste is generated. They were trained to encourage households to separate wet waste, dry waste and other categories of waste according to the prescribed system before handing it over for collection. Proper segregation at the source, officials explained, can significantly improve the process of transportation, treatment, recycling and scientific disposal of municipal waste.
Akash Kumar emphasised that Safai Mitras play a crucial role in the success of the city’s sanitation and waste management system. As they interact directly with residents during the collection of household waste, they can also contribute to increasing public awareness about the importance of waste segregation.
During the session, workers were advised to motivate residents to avoid mixing different categories of waste and to adopt responsible waste disposal practices at home. Better coordination between sanitation workers and citizens, it was explained, can make the door-to-door collection system more organised and effective.
Special attention was also given to the safety of sanitation workers. The Safai Mitras were provided information about the correct and regular use of PPE kits while carrying out their duties. The importance of protective equipment was highlighted to reduce the risk of exposure to harmful waste, dust, contaminated materials and other occupational hazards associated with sanitation work.
The training programme also focused on maintaining hygiene and discipline during the collection and handling of waste. Workers were instructed to follow the prescribed collection procedures and ensure that waste is managed according to its designated category as far as possible.
Supervisors associated with the door-to-door waste collection system also participated in the programme. They were directed to identify shortcomings in the existing system, maintain regular monitoring of field operations and take timely steps to address operational issues.
Officials stressed that continuous supervision is essential to ensure that the waste collection service reaches households efficiently and that sanitation workers receive the necessary guidance and support while performing their duties. The supervisors were encouraged to regularly assess the performance of collection teams and work towards improving coordination and service delivery.
The initiative forms part of the Municipal Corporation’s efforts to further strengthen the city’s cleanliness and solid waste management system. Door-to-door collection is considered one of the most important components of urban sanitation because proper collection at the household level can help prevent littering, open dumping and the accumulation of waste in public spaces.
The training also highlighted the importance of building awareness among residents. Citizens were encouraged, through the sanitation workers, to recognise that maintaining a clean city is a shared responsibility. While the Municipal Corporation and Safai Mitras are responsible for collecting and managing waste, households can contribute significantly by segregating waste before it is handed over for collection.
Officials said that a strong door-to-door collection system, combined with effective waste segregation and responsible citizen participation, can help improve recycling and scientific waste management. It can also reduce the burden on waste processing facilities and contribute towards a cleaner and healthier urban environment.
The programme was aimed not only at improving the technical efficiency of the Safai Mitras but also at strengthening their understanding of their important role in maintaining public health and cleanliness. By improving their skills, safety awareness and coordination with residents, the Municipal Corporation aims to make the waste collection system more reliable and effective.
The Municipal Corporation continues to focus on improving sanitation services across Yamunanagar through awareness programmes, field-level training and regular monitoring of waste management operations. The latest training programme at Pyara Chowk reflects the administration’s effort to ensure that Safai Mitras and supervisors are better equipped to meet the requirements of an efficient door-to-door waste collection system.
