The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has collected approximately three metric tonnes of used earthen lamps (diyas) as part of its post-Diwali clean-up drive. This initiative, led by Mayor Sardar Raja Iqbal Singh, aims to promote responsible and sustainable waste management in the nation's capital.
The collection efforts are a collaboration with the Why Waste Wednesdays Foundation through the Swachh Vaahini project, a CSR initiative of the Tehkhand Waste to Electricity Project (TWEPL). Various Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) in Delhi are actively participating in the collection drive.
Mayor Sardar Raja Iqbal Singh stated that the MCD successfully collected around three metric tonnes of diyas from across the city on October 21, 2025. The collected diyas and idols are being sent to Construction and Demolition (C&D) waste processing plants for environmentally safe management. This ensures the festive waste is handled responsibly.
The MCD views this initiative as a crucial step towards encouraging citizens to adopt sustainable waste disposal practices and maintain the city's cleanliness after Diwali celebrations. Singh urged citizens to actively participate in the campaign by segregating their festive waste and handing it over to the Swachh Vaahini collection teams.
To facilitate the collection process, the MCD has provided a WhatsApp number (8002044982) where citizens can request the pickup of used diyas and idols. The MCD has called upon Delhiites to actively support the campaign and contribute to building a cleaner, greener city.
In related developments, the Delhi government is also undertaking measures to combat pollution. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced the deployment of 1,000 water sprinklers and 140 anti-smog guns across the city to reduce dust pollution. Inspections at construction sites have also been intensified to enforce dust control measures.
Despite these efforts, Delhi experienced heavy smog after Diwali, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching a 'Very Poor' level of 351 on October 21, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). CM Rekha Gupta asserted that data indicates a decline in air pollution compared to previous years.
The MCD is also routing waste collected after Diwali to Waste-to-Energy (WTE) plants. Sanitation workers are working in teams to collect dry and cracker waste for prompt disposal at WTE facilities. The MCD operates 52 mechanised road sweepers, which cover approximately 1,645 km daily, collecting around 82 metric tonnes of waste. Additionally, about 52,984 sanitation workers clean nearly 6,123 km of roads daily in two shifts.
