Tura, 23rd September 2025: As part of the ongoing Swachhata Hi Seva 2025 campaign, the District Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin), under the State Rural Employment Society – District Implementing Division (SRES-DID), West Garo Hills, organized the 2nd phase of the handing over of 47 Waste Collection Electric Vehicles (E-Vehicles) to the Village Water & Sanitation Committees (VWSCs) and Cluster Waste Management Committees (CWMCs) of Dalu, Dadenggre, and Gambegre blocks. The programme was held at ISBT, Tura.

The initiative is aimed at strengthening waste collection and management systems across West Garo Hills while also promoting the adoption of clean and sustainable transport for efficient waste logistics. These vehicles are expected to significantly enhance the capacity of the Committees in ensuring timely and systematic waste collection from villages and markets, thereby contributing to a cleaner and healthier environment.

Addressing the gathering as the Chief Guest, Deputy Commissioner of West Garo Hills, Vibhor Aggarwal, IAS, highlighted the importance of integrating electric vehicles into the plastic waste management system to improve logistics and disposal efficiency. He emphasized the need for comprehensive infrastructure led by local committees and Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to manage waste disposal more effectively. Stressing that e-vehicles are a cost-effective alternative to petrol-based transport, he noted their usefulness in transporting waste from rural areas to processing units, thereby reducing operational expenses.

The Deputy Commissioner also underlined the crucial role of the SBM (Gramin) team in guiding local coordination and ensuring proper utilization of the vehicles. He further urged collaboration with municipalities to strengthen mechanisms for waste processing and to optimize overall waste management using e-vehicles. He assured that the administration will extend full support in ensuring the vehicles are used efficiently and sustainably.

Following the programme, the District Swachh Bharat Mission committed to guide local BWSCs and clusters on the effective use of the e-vehicles, coordinate with municipal bodies to explore waste processing mechanisms, and ensure proper coordination among the SBM team, local committees, and clusters to maximize the utilization of the vehicles.

The District Swachh Bharat Mission (G) expressed its appreciation to all stakeholders for their cooperation and reiterated the importance of community participation in making the Swachhata movement successful in Garo Hills.