The massive Diwali celebrations have left behind an estimated 11–12 tonnes of firecracker waste across Bhopal, prompting the Municipal Corporation to launch an intensive cleaning drive. Around four tonnes of firecracker waste had already been collected by Monday, with nearly 11,000 sanitation workers deployed across the city. The Air Quality Index (AQI), which stood at around 150 before Diwali, surged to 393 following extensive firecracker bursting, adding to concerns over air pollution.

Unlike regular garbage, firecracker residue is being collected separately and classified as hazardous waste due to the presence of gunpowder and potentially harmful metallic compounds. The collected material will be transported from 17 garbage transfer stations to the Adampur landfill and buried at a scientific landfill site along with inert waste.

Municipal Commissioner Ramprakash Ahirwar and Additional Commissioner Aman Mishra inspected

several neighbourhoods and markets from early morning, monitoring sanitation arrangements and interacting with cleaning staff.

The city’s daily garbage generation, normally around 850 tonnes, increased to nearly 1,000 tonnes on Monday due to post-Diwali waste.

Officials said the separate disposal process is intended to ensure safer handling of firecracker residue and prevent it from mixing with ordinary household waste.