Urban India generates approximately 150,000 tonne of municipal solid waste daily, yet only 68 per cent is collected, and a mere 19 per cent undergoes treatment

Byline: Piyush Peshwani, Co-founder & CEO, OnGrid; and Samta Gupta

Can India truly be cleaned? Can India meet its ‘Viksit Bharat’ vision by 2047, if it isn’t clean? The answer isn’t straightforward. The problem (and solution) is deeply rooted in culture. Dirty streets have become something that we simply tolerate. In this article, we look at a potential solution that goes beyond public cleaning drives – a solution that marries Government-led infrastructure with active public participation. And leverages technology.

The Problem: A Waste Crisis
India’s public spaces, streets, and markets continue to suffer from poor waste management. Garbage piles up remains unaddressed and contributes to environmental pollution and public health risks. As per a CSE report, Urban India generates approximately 150,000 tonne of municipal solid waste daily, yet only 68 per cent is collected, and a mere 19 per cent undergoes treatment.

Our daily commutes silently remind us of the growing waste piling up around us. It’s time we open our eyes, take responsibility, and put real thought into solutions—using the resources, systems, and innovations at our disposal to turn this crisis around.

The Solution: SwachhX
To tackle this growing crisis, we propose SwachhX- a tech-driven initiative designed to turn awareness into action. The platform will empower concerned citizens to report garbage buildup in their neighborhoods with a few clicks, enabling a quicker response from the designated municipal teams. The intent is to make it easier for communities and authorities to work together toward cleaner, healthier spaces. SwachhX would have an app as well as a back-end system for coordination amongst various stakeholders.

At its heart, SwachhX stands on two pillars:

Collective Action – Empowering citizens to participate, turning this into a movement, not just a mission.

Responsive Governance – A live dashboard for local bodies to track, measure, and accelerate cleanup efforts with precision.

The 6-step SwachhX methodology:

Here’s how we envision the SwachhX solution playing out on ground:

Step 1: User registration and reporting -A citizen downloads the SwachhX app, signs up with basic details, and reports a garbage pile by uploading a photo. The location would get tagged with GPS.

Step 2: Service request creation and assignment – The app generates a service request (with a unique request ID) and automatically assigns it to the relevant municipal body based on the GPS coordinates and geo-mapping.

Step 3: Municipal body response – The municipal body reviews the request and sends a cleaning team to act on the service request.

Step 4: Completion and verification – Once the area is cleaned, the cleaning team uploads a photo as proof (against the corresponding service request). The app uses AI to verify the cleanup before officially closing the request.

Step 5: User notification and rating – The user (citizen who logged the request) receives a notification upon completion and can rate the cleaning quality. If unsatisfied, they can reopen the service request for further action.

Step 6: Performance Tracking and Ranking – Municipal bodies are scored based on response time, request closures, and cleaning quality. Regularly updated rankings encourage better efficiency and accountability. The scoring and ranking can be rolled from municipal bodies to districts and states, and the visibility of the same can be given to relevant stakeholders, including Government officials and public.

Making SwachhX A Reality
A cleaner India is not just a dream—it is a shared responsibility that requires sustained effort, collaboration, and smart execution. SwachhX is more than just a technology-driven solution; it is a movement designed to integrate seamless operations, strategic partnerships, and sustainable funding to create lasting impact.

For this initiative to thrive, it must be built on a foundation of continuous improvement, strong municipal adoption, meaningful incentives for stakeholders, and the judicious use of resources. A not-for-profit organization, supported by government funding and corporate CSR contributions, can ensure SwachhX remains independent, effective, and scalable.

At OnGrid, we are committed to being among the first to contribute to this mission, but we cannot do it alone. Here’s how you can help:

CSR Leaders and Companies – Join us in funding and supporting this initiative through your CSR budgets. Let’s build this platform together.

Government and Municipal Bodies – Partner with us to integrate SwachhX into existing waste management efforts and ensure swift, effective cleanups.

Citizens and Community Groups – Spread the word, use the platform when it launches, and take an active role in keeping your surroundings clean.

Clean streets reflect a society that cares. Let’s build that society—one step, one report, and one cleaner street at a time. If you’re ready to be a part of this change, let’s connect and make it happen.