Bhubaneswar, Jan 5: In a significant move aimed at strengthening its revenue base and improving waste management services, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has rolled out a user fee for the collection of bulk waste from households, commercial establishments, and institutions across the city, officials said on Tuesday.

The initiative, implemented under the 2018 by-law provisions, will cover a wide range of establishments including residences, hotels, shopping malls, cafés, markets, educational institutions, liquor shops, roadside eateries, cloud kitchens, warehouses, guest houses, hostels, and street vendors. Each category will be charged a separate fee, ensuring that the cost burden is distributed fairly across different types of waste generators.

Citizens can access detailed information about the charges and services through the Safai Saathi mobile application, which has been integrated into the city’s Smart City framework. The app will provide transparency on the fee structure and facilitate easier communication between residents and the civic body.

According to BMC officials, the corporation oversees nearly 3.18 lakh households within its jurisdiction. With the new user fee system, the civic body expects to generate over Rs 10 crore in monthly revenue. This income will be channelled towards strengthening door-to-door waste collection, segregation, and transportation facilities.

BMC Mayor Sulochana Das emphasised that the cooperation of citizens is crucial for Bhubaneswar to achieve its goal of ranking among the top three cities in the upcoming Swachh Survekshan. “We have already moved from the 84th position to the top 10 nationally. With people’s support, we can aim higher,” she said.

Commissioner Chanchal Rana added that the revenue will be utilised to expand infrastructure and ensure sustainable waste management practices. The initiative is expected to reduce landfill pressure and promote cleaner neighbourhoods.

Residents have expressed mixed reactions, with some welcoming the move as a step towards better civic services, while others voiced concerns about the additional financial burden. However, civic authorities maintain that the user fee is essential to ensure long-term cleanliness and environmental sustainability in the capital city.