In a concerted effort to combat the mounting waste management challenges in rural areas surrounding Thane city and Highways, Zilla Parishad Thane has launched a comprehensive initiative under the Swachh Bharat Mission. With urbanization and industrialization encroaching upon village outskirts, the region has witnessed a surge in daily garbage dumping, posing environmental and health hazards.

To address this pressing issue, officials and employees of the Swachh Bharat Mission department have utilized innovative technology, leveraging the KoboToolBox software to catalog and document waste hotspots across the district. Chhayadevi Shisode, Chief Executive Officer of Zilla Parishad, has highlighted the urgency of prompt waste removal and emphasized the importance of community participation in maintaining cleanliness and aesthetic appeal.

Significant progress has already been made, with approximately 4380 tonnes of accumulated waste successfully lifted out of the targeted 4800 tonnes, marking a completion rate of 91.25%. The initiative extends beyond mere waste clearance, with a focus on sustainable waste disposal practices and recycling efforts.

In addition to waste removal, efforts are underway to address the issue of garbage accumulation along highways in front of village panchayats. Through the utilization of KoboToolBox software, data on waste sites is being collected and analyzed, enabling targeted interventions and public awareness campaigns.

In the first phase of the operation, waste collected from national and state roads passing through five Panchayat Samiti areas under Thane Zilla Parishad is being systematically disposed of at designated dumping grounds. The waste is being sorted, with non-degradable and recyclable materials directed to appropriate channels for further processing.

Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Head of the Water Supply and Sanitation Department, Atul Paraskar, reaffirmed the commitment to maintaining cleanliness and pledged to take stringent action against violators. The ongoing endeavour exemplifies Zilla Parishad Thane's proactive approach to environmental sustainability and underscores the collective responsibility in ensuring a cleaner, healthier future for rural communities.