Sanitation crisis in Lucknow as hundreds of workers leave for Assam, West Bengal to vote

The ripple effects of elections in Assam and West Bengal are now visible in Lucknow, where a sharp drop in sanitation workers has disrupted waste management across the city.

Hundreds of workers living in slums have returned to their native villages with their families to vote, leaving the municipal system stretched. The civic body is coping by running double shifts and increasing workloads, while in some areas, daily-wage labourers are being hired for ₹1,000–₹1,500 to clear garbage.

Many of the absent workers are employed by the municipal corporation and have locked their homes before leaving, creating an abrupt manpower shortage. In areas like Indira Nagar, rows of huts remain shut as entire families travel back to vote, while residents report that garbage collection has stopped without notice, leading to piling waste.

Locals say both municipal and private collection services have been hit. Some workers reportedly informed residents in advance about travelling to Assam for voting, leaving households and businesses to manage waste on their own.

Officials acknowledge the strain. Additional Municipal Commissioner Arvind Rao said a large number of sanitation workers have left for election-related travel, directly impacting cleanliness operations.

Under normal circumstances, around 3,500 workers and over 1,400 vehicles handle sanitation in the city. However, reports suggest nearly 10,000 workers are currently absent, worsening an already existing manpower shortage. Earlier verification drives linked to Aadhaar documentation had also led to workers leaving or being removed, contributing to a 60–70% staffing gap.

As a result, Lucknow’s daily garbage collection—typically around 2,100 metric tonnes—has dropped significantly, with visible deterioration in cleanliness across several neighbourhoods.

Mayor Sushma Kharkwal said previous verification drives had led to the exit of some workers without Aadhaar cards, while many of the remaining workforce—largely from Assam—have now left to vote, causing the current disruption.