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Solid Waste Management: A Comparison of Indore and Thane



Urban cleanliness is not just about aesthetics—it reflects public health, civic discipline, and environmental responsibility. Indore and Thane, two rapidly growing Indian cities, offer contrasting pictures in solid waste management. While Indore has become a national model for cleanliness under the Swachh Bharat Mission, Thane is still striving to balance its waste management systems within the broader Clean Air Action Plan. Examining their efforts provides important lessons for Thane’s citizens and administration alike.

Waste Generation and Collection

Indore, with a population of 27 lakh, generates over 1,100 metric tons of waste daily, while Thane’s 23 lakh citizens produce around 950 metric tons per day. Both cities have implemented door-to-door waste collection, but Indore’s model stands out for its uniformity and efficiency. Starting with a 2015 pilot, Indore perfected its system using motorized tippers for all 85 wards, covering over six lakh households and commercial units. It ensures 100% segregation at the source and even collects waste from bulk generators and hospitals separately.

Thane, too, claims 100% collection across its nine wards using ‘ghanta gadis’ and contract workers. It has also introduced GPS-tracked vehicles for biomedical and hotel waste. However, Thane’s system still faces inconsistencies in segregation, with less than about 75% of waste properly separated. This gap must be addressed through stricter enforcement and citizen cooperation.

Processing and Recycling

Indore has transformed its Devguradia site into a model waste processing hub. From composting and plastic recycling to a 20 MW Waste-to-Energy project, the city focuses on converting waste into resources. Its initiative to use processed plastic for road construction and establish composting units in every ward shows deep integration of technology and planning.

Thane’s approach is more decentralized. It operates composting and biomethanation plants with a total capacity of over 170 MTD, along with specialized units for flower, wood, and Thermocol waste. The planned 1,000 TPD Waste-to-Energy plant at Daighar is ambitious and, if implemented effectively, can make Thane self-reliant in waste processing. Thane’s success in producing bio-CNG from hotel waste is commendable, but full-scale efficiency will depend on sustained maintenance and public awareness.

Disposal and Challenges

Indore’s landfill management marks a shift from crude dumping to engineered landfills and bioremediation of old waste. Thane, however, struggles with the absence of a permanent dumping ground. The Khardi and C.P. Tank sites are temporary and environmentally vulnerable. Identifying and operationalizing long-term waste disposal sites must be a top civic priority.

Public opposition to processing plants and poor segregation at the household level continue to hinder progress in Thane. Indore overcame similar hurdles through strict enforcement, fines for littering, GPS monitoring of vehicles, and extensive public campaigns involving NGOs and citizens. Its “Bin-Free City” drive was successful because people participated wholeheartedly.

The Way Forward for Thane

Thane’s integration of waste management plan is a step in the right direction. But real progress demands citizen partnership. Residents must ensure daily segregation, avoid single-use plastics, and support decentralized composting. The city administration should strengthen monitoring, promote recycling enterprises, and expand awareness drives in schools and housing societies.

Indore’s journey proves that cleanliness is not a miracle—it’s a movement built on civic participation and accountability. Thane, with its educated citizen base and administrative capacity, has every potential to match or surpass Indore. The responsibility now lies with every citizen: to turn waste into wealth, and Thane into a cleaner, greener, and healthier city.


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