Pune: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) is planning smart meter installations at 28 garbage processing plants to maintain independent records of power usage and cross-verify unannounced power cuts. According to civic officials and plant operators, these recurring power outages and technical faults are adversely impacting overall waste processing and machinery efficiency.The meters will provide the solid waste management (SWM) department with real-time digital data accessible via mobile applications and computers. “This will enable administrators to monitor hourly electricity consumption, track newly incoming and processed waste quantities, and streamline logistics—such as redirecting garbage to alternative facilities during power failures. The digital auditing system aims to establish tighter operational control over processing plants,” said Yogesh Mali, a senior official of PMC’s electrical department.PMC officials said the administration has already issued a tender to install these meters. This move follows recurring concerns regarding plant capacity and transparency, as contractors often cite technical faults or power supply interruptions to explain processing delays. With the new system, officials will be able to verify power usage independently, track daily waste intake and processing levels, and more effectively coordinate logistics, such as redirecting garbage to alternative facilities during power outages.According to civic estimates, Pune generates 1,500 to 1,600 tonnes of dry waste and 1,000 to 1,100 tonnes of wet waste daily. Under the SWM Rules, PMC must scientifically dispose of this waste. Currently, PMC has approved and commissioned dry waste processing plants with a combined capacity of 2,100 to 2,400 tonnes. Additionally, wet waste processing plants with a capacity of 600 to 800 tonnes are operational, while the remaining 500 tonnes of wet waste is sent outside the city to farmers for composting.“Steps are needed to process all the trash generated in the city. People are suffering due to this pile-up. Threat of health hazards is increasing,” said Gauri Kulkarni, a Kothrud resident.
