Over 7,000 staff, including conservancy and DBC workers, are engaged in sanitation operations under the Coimbatore Corporation.
| Photo Credit: SIVA SARAVANAN S.
The Coimbatore Corporation is facing challenges in reassigning conservancy workers as per area requirements.
Councillors have urged the Corporation to reassign workers engaged in door-to-door garbage collection and drain cleaning based on workload, pointing out that some areas have more workers than needed while others face a shortage.
“Councillors have received many complaints about waste not being cleared. Since garbage collection is managed by a private company, it should substitute workers who are absent and mobilise additional staff where garbage generation is high, but this is not being followed,” said East Zone chairman Ilakkumi Izhamselvi Karthik.
“Due to absenteeism, permanent workers assigned for drain cleaning are being deployed for door-to-door waste collection, which affects drain cleaning in certain areas. Earlier, a survey was supposed to be conducted street-wise to assess manpower distribution, but I am not aware of its current status,” she added.
According to Corporation data, there are 1,890 permanent workers, 3,400 contract workers, 1,209 domestic breeding checkers (DBC), 614 garbage truck drivers, and 31 sewage lorry drivers.
Corporation Commissioner M. Sivaguru Prabakaran said a separate survey was not required, as workers are transferred between areas whenever the need arises.
“Recently, we transferred around 80 workers for drain cleaning from the Central Zone to the West, but only 50% agreed to move, citing various reasons. Notices have been issued to those who did not report. Managing such transfers remain a challenge, as many workers are reluctant to move. As for contract workers, absenteeism is the responsibility of the contracted company, and no survey is required for that,” he said.
Published – October 29, 2025 07:47 pm IST
