Tirupati rolls out night cleaning drive to keep city sparkling
TIRUPATI: To enhance city cleanliness and address rising waste management challenges, the Municipal Corporation of Tirupati (MCT) has introduced a “night sweeping initiative.” With Tirupati drawing lakhs of pilgrims throughout the year, this initiative aims to maintain the city’s spiritual and aesthetic appeal.
Acting on the directives of MCT commissioner N. Mourya, the project seeks to manage the substantial garbage generated daily across Tirupati, particularly in commercial zones. A dedicated team of 20 municipal workers will conduct night sweeping from 9 pm to 4 am, under the supervision of senior officials.
Equipped with compactors and tractors, the night sweeping crew will clear waste from identified spots, initially focusing on key public areas like Indira Priyadarshini Market, Rythu Bazaar, Karakambadi Road, Tilak Road, T.K. Street, and other high-footfall locations. Mourya also intends to expand the initiative to additional areas as necessary.
The temple city generates approximately 250 metric tonnes of waste daily, with around 70 metric tonnes originating from commercial zones where shopkeepers often dispose of trash on roads after closing. Many small businesses also discard waste in drains, manholes, and other public spaces, causing overnight garbage build-up and blocked drains.
To address this, MCT has pinpointed over 120 waste-prone locations for nightly clean-up.
MCT health officer Dr Yuva Anvesh noted that the team aims to remove up to 60 metric tonnes of waste each night, significantly reducing overnight garbage piles.
This initiative replaces a previous attempt to keep Tirupati clean, which allocated funds to a private contractor for night sweeping but did not achieve satisfactory results. The commissioner has now opted to execute the project through MCT’s own resources, with municipal workers ensuring accountability and consistent outcomes.
Mourya appealed to residents to support the corporation's efforts by celebrating an eco-friendly Diwali and reducing plastic waste. Citizens are encouraged to hand over segregated dry and wet waste to collectors and to avoid dumping garbage in vulnerable spots. The commissioner also highlighted the importance of refraining from waste disposal in drainage areas, as this habit contributes to waterlogging and flooding during heavy rains.
