Cameras, sensors and codes to control, monitor Panjim’s garbage collection

VRISHANK MAHATME

vrishank@herald-goa.com

Goa’s capital city Panjim, which reminiscences about the days of the Portuguese colonial rule, is now set to have a modern makeover under the Smart City project called the Technology-based solid waste management system.

The prime intention of this project, which is being undertaken by the Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Ltd, is to remove the qualms of the common residents of Panjim and replace it with joy and contentment.

According to the plans, to be implemented within three months from now, under technology-based solid waste management system, every household in the capital city would be fitted with QR codes for which the garbage collectors would be given QR scanning devices by which they would be scanning the code after successfully picking or non-picking of the garbage. All the data will be fed at the Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) which will be heavily automated with advanced technology, leading to minimum human engagement. A SMS will be sent to the citizens on successful collection of garbage and also over non-collection for which a minimum fee shall apply.

Speaking to Herald, Managing Director and CEO of the Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Ltd (IPSCDL), Swayandipta Pal Choudhuri said, “Now that we have achieved almost 100 per cent segregated system in Panjim there are still a lot of issues when people are not at home or there is a discrepancy when the person collecting the garbage and the residents where the garbage doesn’t get collected. Through this technology this gap will be completely wiped out.”

“The tender will go online very soon. The idea is that the residents who agree to subscribe it with a minimum charge, can take benefit of SMS service even before the worker visits his/her home. After the garbage is collected there will be QR code for every resident if garbage is collected or if it has not been picked. The worker, with the help of scanning device, will just scan on the two options and all the data will be automatically collected to the command and control,” said Choudhuri.

In case of any discrepancy and the people feel that garbage should have been collected, then the citizens can directly log in and make a self-grievance.

When asked about the collection and status of household data of the entire city, the CEO said, “CCP already has a layer of data but of course that data is old and we need to rework on it and door to door exercise will be started which should be finished within two months. If we don’t have the correct data, there is no point and the system will not work. Also we have done an aerial survey and every house is mapped.”