In a move aimed at enhancing waste management services and funding cleanliness initiatives, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has announced the implementation of a monthly user fee for garbage collection from households and commercial establishments.
Mayor Sulochana Das revealed that residents will now have to pay for door-to-door waste pickup and processing, with the corporation targeting an annual revenue of Rs 10 crore through this initiative. The decision, based on the 2018 bylaws, comes after BMC successfully resolved a related court case in the High Court.
According to the fee structure released by BMC on Monday, economically weaker section (EWS) and low-income group (LIG) homes up to 800 square feet will be charged Rs 50 per month. Middle-income group (MIG) residences between 800 and 1,200 square feet will pay Rs 75 monthly. Larger homes, hotels, shopping malls, cafes, markets, educational institutions, liquor shops, dhabas, cloud kitchens, warehouses, roadside vendors, guest houses, and hostels will also be subject to varying fees under the new system. Commercial establishments, in particular, will see an increase in charges to support improved waste handling.
The user fee, which was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, will now be collected to ensure comprehensive service delivery across the city. Residents can access detailed information and pay through the ‘SAFA App’. BMC emphasises that this aligns with practices in other major Indian cities and is essential for sustainable waste management.
However, the announcement has sparked widespread discontent among Bhubaneswar residents, who argue that it adds financial burden amid rising living costs.
In a related development, Mayor Das appealed to citizens to actively participate in the Swachh Survekshan 2025-26 survey to help position Bhubaneswar as India’s cleanest city. During a press conference at BMC headquarters on the occasion of the New Year 2026, she stressed the importance of clean air and environment for public health. “A clean environment and fresh air are crucial for the well-being of Bhubaneswar’s residents,” Das said, urging voluntary cooperation in waste segregation at source, proper disposal, and avoiding open dumping or burning of garbage.
BMC is implementing measures under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) to reduce pollution and promote a green, beautiful city. Residents are advised to hand over segregated waste—wet, dry, and hazardous—only to authorised BMC vehicles. The corporation has directed Swachh Sathis (cleanliness volunteers) in each ward to collect fees as per the 2018 guidelines.
Additional Commissioner Kailash Chandra Das provided detailed breakdowns of fees for various establishments during the press meet, while Commissioner Chanchal Rana has instructed the IEC (Information, Education, and Communication) team to educate citizens on waste-related rules and civic responsibilities. Present at the conference were Additional Commissioner Ratnakar Sahu and Sanitation Deputy Commissioner N. Ganesh Babu.
For more details, residents can contact BMC via the Safa App or WhatsApp at 7653011832. Mayor Das encouraged citizens to share feedback for Swachh Survekshan 2025 to support the city’s cleanliness drive.
