Coimbatore Grapples with Uneven Conservancy Worker Distribution

As of October 29th, 2025, the Coimbatore Corporation is grappling with the challenge of reassigning its conservancy workers to meet the varying needs across the city. Councillors have urged the Corporation to redistribute workers engaged in door-to-door garbage collection and drain cleaning based on the workload in different areas, as some regions have more workers than required while others face a shortage.

East Zone chairman Ilakkumi Izhamselvi Karthik has pointed out that councillors have received numerous complaints about waste not being cleared. She noted that while garbage collection is managed by a private company, the company should substitute absent workers and mobilize additional staff where garbage generation is high, but this is not being followed.

Furthermore, due to absenteeism, permanent workers assigned for drain cleaning are being deployed for door-to-door waste collection, which has affected drain cleaning in certain areas. Earlier, a survey was supposed to be conducted to assess the manpower distribution street-wise, but its current status remains unclear.

Corporation Commissioner M. Sivaguru Prabakaran stated that a separate survey is not required, as workers are transferred between areas whenever the need arises. However, he acknowledged that managing such transfers remains a challenge, as many workers are reluctant to move to different locations. Notices have been issued to those who did not report for the recent transfer of around 80 workers from the Central Zone to the West Zone, with only 50% agreeing to the move.

As for contract workers, the Commissioner explained that absenteeism is the responsibility of the contracted company, and no survey is required for that. The Coimbatore Corporation continues to grapple with these workforce distribution issues, aiming to optimize its sanitation services for the city.