Hyderabad: Tons of garbage and biodegradable waste accumulated across Hyderabad’s roads over the past two days, particularly around Ganesh pandals and major markets, prompting the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) to launch a large-scale cleanup operation on Wednesday.
The waste pile-up was reported across several main and internal roads, with significant quantities of discarded flowers, puja materials and rotting fruit left behind near Ganesh pandals, markets and Rythu Bazar areas.
The uncollected waste also resulted in a strong foul smell, causing inconvenience to commuters and residents in several parts of the city.
Sanitation operations delayed
GHMC sanitation workers normally begin street-sweeping operations during the early morning hours. However, cleaning activities across much of Hyderabad were delayed by more than three hours during the festival period.
A senior GHMC official told Telangana Today that the backlog occurred after more than 80 per cent of sanitation workers were absent during the peak of Ganesh festival celebrations.
The absence resulted in garbage remaining uncollected across several locations, particularly in areas witnessing large gatherings and increased commercial activity.
Full workforce deployed for cleanup
The civic body said that 100 per cent of its sanitation workforce had returned to duty by Wednesday morning.
GHMC subsequently deployed sanitation teams on a large scale to clear the accumulated garbage and biodegradable waste from roads and other public areas.
The cleanup drive is aimed at removing the festival-related waste, addressing the foul smell and restoring normal sanitation conditions across Hyderabad.
Officials said the sanitation teams would focus on areas where waste accumulation was particularly high, including locations surrounding Ganesh pandals and busy markets.
The civic body’s intensified operation comes as Hyderabad works to clear the festival-generated waste and restore regular sanitation services across the city.
