Electric Vehicles Power Waste Collection in Indian Cities

18 Jun 2025 CW Team

Under the Swachh Bharat Mission–Urban, major Indian cities are leading a shift towards electric vehicles (EVs) for waste collection, reducing emissions and operational costs while improving urban sanitation.

In Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, over 200 electric autos have replaced diesel garbage trucks. These EVs cover the city's 159 square kilometres and help save more than 71,000 litres of diesel annually. Over ten years, this is projected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 21,000 tonnes, significantly improving air and noise pollution levels.

Chennai has deployed 5,478 electric rickshaws for door-to-door garbage collection across 15 zones, serving over 2.1 million households. Each vehicle travels about 40 kilometres a day. The initiative cuts carbon emissions by 41 tonnes daily, or about 15,160 tonnes annually. The EVs include separate bins for wet, dry, and hazardous waste to encourage waste segregation at the source.

In Indore, the municipal corporation has rolled out 100 electric vehicles in central areas such as Rajwada. This fleet is estimated to reduce carbon emissions by approximately 24,918 tonnes a year. Indore has also installed 20 solar-powered EV charging stations, each equipped with 10 kW panels that generate between 800 and 1,000 units of electricity per day. The initiative is expected to save around Rs 60 million annually in fuel and maintenance costs.

These cities are setting a benchmark for sustainable waste management. Their use of EVs, backed by solar energy and digital tracking systems, demonstrates how municipalities can build cleaner, more efficient, and environmentally friendly infrastructure. These efforts are part of a broader national push under the Swachh Bharat Mission to enhance quality of life in urban India.

Infrastructure Transport

06 May 2026

Pune To Build Nine Km Link Road Between Highways

The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has decided to appoint an expert to plan the development of a nine km long, 60 metre wide road from Khadi Machine chowk to Wadki chowk as an extension to the Katraj-Kondhwa road to link the Mumbai-Satara and Pune-Solapur national highways. The scheme is intended to divert heavy vehicle traffic away from the city and improve access between the two arterial routes. The project has been prioritised by the PMC and forms part of a larger set of schemes in which 19 roads have been identified for development at a combined cost of Rs 9.82 billion (bn) to address c..

Barabanki Bahraich Six Lane Highway Approved in Uttar Pradesh

The Uttar Pradesh government has approved construction of a new six-lane highway linking Barabanki and Bahraich as part of National Highway 927, and the cabinet has cleared the project. The alignment will pass through Mustafabad and Kaiserganj and extend for about 101.5 km, creating a key corridor for local and long-distance movement. The National Highways Authority of India will oversee the work and has signalled the scheme is intended to strengthen regional connectivity and cross-border access to Nepal. The project carries an estimated total cost of Rs 69,690 million, equivalent to Rs 69.69..

Toll At Kharegaon Likely As Highway Upgrade Nears Completion

A section of the highway at Kharegaon has undergone an upgrade and is approaching completion, and authorities have indicated plans for a toll to be introduced once works finish. The project has focused on strengthening the carriageway, improving drainage and upgrading intersections to enhance safety and capacity. Officials have said the toll will be used to recover construction costs and fund ongoing maintenance. The upgrade included resurfacing of the pavement, widening of certain stretches and installation of modern signage and lighting to reduce accident risk. Contractors completed most ma..