Soon, Chandigarh to get underground dustbins

Finding all the big green bins kept at public places an eyesore with garbage littered all around, this project of underground bins has been mooted by the UT Administration under the smart city project.

3 min readChandigarhJul 24, 2017 03:19 AM IST

Chandigarh Underground Dustbins, Underground dustbins in Chandigarh, Chandigarh Garbage Management, Chandigarh Smart City Project, Chandigarh news

These underground bins would also help in removing the stench garbage usually raises. “During rain, the bins on the surface stink. So once the bins are underground, that problem would also be solved,” the commissioner added.

CHANDIGARH WOULD soon have underground dustbins now. Finding all the big green bins kept at public places an eyesore with garbage littered all around, this project of underground bins has been mooted by the UT Administration under the smart city project.

Municipal Commissioner Baldeo Purushartha, who is also the nodal officer of the Chandigarh Smart City Project, said, “In fact, most of the garbage is littered around these bins. Also, the stray animals pull out the garbage which then remains strewn over. That is why we have thought of underground bins now.”

Although the modalities are being worked out, the bins would have their covers on the surface. A garbage lifting vehicle would do the lifting mechanically after the container inside is pulled out. After the bin is emptied, the same would be covered. The cover would be a little above the ground so that passersby get to know that there is a bin beneath the surface.

There are over 300 such big bins kept at several places. Few days ago, during the deadlock with Dadumajra residents after they refused to allow any dumping of garbage at Dadumajra dumping site, all these bins were overflowing with waste. Garbage kept piling up in the dustbins and raised a stink all around.

BJP councillor Davesh Moudgil said, “In fact, Chandigarh is a place where several tourists, including foreigners, come. Garbage doesn’t give a good impression about the city. So this project is a good initiative and must be implemented soon. Having underground bins would be good hygienically as well.”

A similar project was mooted by Mohali Municipal Corporation as well but the agenda item was rejected by the General House in its meeting held this month as the councillors suggested that they must make a study tour to Phagwara, the place which has installed underground dustbins to check the feasibility.

Story continues below this ad

The agenda the Mohali MC had prepared was of having underground bins of 10 feet height, of which six feet would be underground while four feet would be above the ground.

Hina Rohtaki

Hina Rohtaki is a Special Correspondent at The Indian Express, based in Chandigarh. She is one of the most prominent journalists covering the Chandigarh Administration, civic issues, and the unique political status of the Union Territory. Professional Background Experience: She has been in the field for over a decade and is known for her investigative reporting on administrative waste and urban governance. Awards: She is a recipient of the prestigious Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award, which was presented to her by the President of India in January 2020. She was also awarded the Jethmalani prize (The Will of Steel Awards) in 2025 in the Empowerment category for a series of articles that highlighted the struggles of Covid widows. Core Beat: Her primary focus is the Chandigarh administrative structure, the Union Territory's financial management, and urban development projects. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Her recent work highlights a focus on government accountability, administrative expenditures, and civic trends: 1. Investigative & Financial Reporting "Fuelling power: Senior UT IAS officers guzzled petrol worth Rs 30 lakh in 2 yrs" (Dec 14, 2025): An investigative report detailing the high fuel bills of top bureaucrats, including the Finance Secretary and Chief Secretary’s staff. "Admn spends Rs 1.5 crore on dismantling road railings and fixing again after increasing height" (Dec 8, 2025): Highlighting administrative waste on "non-viable" solutions for pedestrian control. "Chandigarh’s finances under ministry’s watch now" (Nov 27, 2025): Reporting on the new requirement for MHA approval for all new projects in the UT. 2. Governance & Constitutional Status "What will it mean for Chandigarh if it is brought under Article 240?" (Nov 24, 2025): An "Explained" piece on the potential constitutional shift that would grant the President more power over the UT's governance. "MP Manish Tewari moves Bill seeking directly elected Mayor with 5-year tenure" (Dec 6, 2025): Covering the legislative push to reform Chandigarh's municipal leadership structure. "No proposal to increase Mayor's term in Chandigarh by 5 years: Centre" (Dec 10, 2025): Reporting on the Union government's response to demands for a longer mayoral term. 3. Urban Infrastructure & Environment "Chandigarh admn cuts power to India's tallest air purifier, asks firm to dismantle it" (Nov 17, 2025): A critical report on the failure of a high-cost environmental project deemed "of no use" by experts. "UT rethinks 24/7 water supply project as costs soar" (Nov 26, 2025): Detailing the financial challenges and delays in modernizing the city's water network. "Centre 'obfuscating, covering up' MC's shifting deadlines for clearing Dadu Majra dump" (Dec 12, 2025): Reporting on the ongoing controversy surrounding the city's major waste dump. 4. Lifestyle & Local Trends "Chandigarh turns into a Thar city as women fuel the surge" (Dec 2, 2025): A feature on a unique automotive trend in the city, with a record 600 registrations by women drivers this year. "After fivefold spike in 2023, EV sales struggle to pick pace in Chandigarh" (Dec 2, 2025): Analyzing the slowdown in electric vehicle adoption despite previous surges. Signature Beat Hina is known for her meticulous tracking of RTI (Right to Information) data to expose administrative inefficiency. Her "Ground Zero" reporting on the Dadu Majra garbage dump and her scrutiny of the Chandigarh Smart City projects have made her a key figure in the city’s civil society discourse. X (Twitter): @HinaRohtaki ... Read More

Loading Recommendations...

May 17: Latest News

Live Blog