The Bengal government has unveiled measures to modernise urban civic services centred on a Quick Response (QR) code system to identify households and global positioning system (GPS) tracking of collection vehicles. The proposals were presented during the Urban Development and Municipal Affairs budget discussion in the state assembly by minister Agnimitra Paul. The measures were described as intended to make municipal services more transparent and citizen-friendly.

Every household in urban areas will be assigned a unique QR code and waste collection vehicles will be fitted with GPS trackers to allow real-time route monitoring and accountability. The minister noted around 75,000 Nirmal Bandhus and 6,000 Nirmal Sathis are engaged in collection and awareness across urban local bodies. Door-to-door collection has been rolled out in most municipal areas and the government is targeting 100 per cent segregation at source.

The state operates 16 waste processing plants, with 67 more under construction expected to become functional during the 2026-27 financial year, and work on another 32 units will begin. The administration has drawn a schedule to clear legacy waste dumps by 31 May 2027 to reclaim urban land, reduce pollution and prevent groundwater contamination. The plan emphasises scientific processing of daily waste and elimination of open dumping.

Authorities will introduce biometric attendance systems, material recovery facilities, decentralised processing units, composting sites and bio-CNG production across urban local bodies to promote circular economy practices. Citizen grievance redressal platforms related to sanitation will be strengthened to ensure timely complaint disposal. Reforms to the subsidised Maa Ahar canteen network will provide seating without any increase in meal prices.

The state operates 390 Maa Ahar canteens, with around 85,000 people availing meals daily and almost 100 canteens near hospitals. A food recovery initiative will collect surplus food from hotels, restaurants and social functions, store it through a dedicated cold-chain network, have it tested by food safety officers and distribute it to economically disadvantaged people. Necessary cold-chain infrastructure will be created to support the programme and technology will be used to monitor the process in real time.