As India urban centers grapple with a monumental waste problem a critical debate is emerging over the role of privatization in sanitation. While outsourcing promises efficiency through technology and performance-based contracts it often comes at a steep cost for the millions of sanitation workers who form the backbone of the system.
According to a report from Outlook Business, urban India generates approximately 170,000 tonnes of municipal solid waste every day, and while nearly all of it is collected, less than half is scientifically processed. In cities like Chennai, the move to privatize waste management has sparked strikes and protests from workers fearing brutal pay cuts and job insecurity. This tension highlights a central question: Can privatization work without deepening inequality for the very people who keep cities clean?
The Invisible Workforce
The report highlights that up to five million Indians work in the formal and informal sanitation sectors, often with low pay, no job security, and no protective equipment. A successful model in Pune, the SWaCH cooperative, has integrated waste pickers into the formal system, providing a stable income for over 3,700 members and saving the city millions. This model demonstrates that efficiency and worker dignity can be achieved together.
Cities as Test Cases
The experiences of Indian cities with privatization are varied:
• Indore: Ranked India’s cleanest large city for seven consecutive years, Indore’s success is not due to privatization alone but to a disciplined, city-wide system. It has achieved near-universal door-to-door collection and diverts almost all its waste from landfills, converting it into resources like bio-CNG and compost.
• Delhi: After revamping its waste contracts the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) saw its cleanliness ranking jump 59 places to 31st. While this shows promise, the city still struggles with waste processing and a lack of land for decentralized facilities. The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), which governs a small portion of the city, has achieved the top ranking by focusing on a zero-waste model and close collaboration with its workers.
• Chennai: The city move to outsource waste management to private operators has been met with resistance from workers. The ongoing strikes and legal battles underscore the need for contracts that include strong oversight, fair wages, and protection for workers.
The report concludes that privatization is not a silver bullet. It can only be successful if it is paired with strong municipal oversight, transparent contracts and a commitment to protecting the rights and dignity of sanitation workers. The most sustainable systems it argues are those that acknowledge and integrate the human element, ensuring that progress is not made at the expense of the most vulnerable.