Protest Over GHMC Garbage Collection Privatisation

Hyderabad:Tension erupted at the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) head office near Tank Bund on Friday as Swachh Auto Tipper (SAT) drivers and workers protested against the privatisation of door‑to‑door garbage collection, handed over to Re Sustainability Limited (formerly Ramky Enviro Engineers Limited).

The Telangana Swachh Auto Tipper and Rickshaw Workers’ Union said 50,000 families would be affected as the sole breadwinners risk losing their jobs. Women engaged in garbage collection also joined the protest, demanding that the task not be assigned to private firms.

Police intervened after protestors attempted to enter the GHMC chambers from the parking area, leading to a scuffle. Kathravath Gopal Naik, GHMC president of the union, lost consciousness during the clash and was shifted to NIMS Hospital.

Protestors voiced concerns that privatisation would ruin their livelihoods and demanded assurance from GHMC. Before the protest, Gopal Naik said the government should withdraw its proposal, claiming ten workers had died in the past month due to mental distress, while four others were undergoing treatment. He demanded continuation of sanitation work under the existing system.