Kerala Goes Digital in Waste Management

Thiruvananthapuram: Waste collection in Kerala is moving to the digital space with the launch of Haritha Mithram 2.0, an upgraded mobile application designed for doorstep collection and fee payment. The new version brings in online payment facilities, improved monitoring of waste collection, Malayalam language support, and integration with the KSMART system.

The pilot rollout is already underway in 30 local bodies. Officials believe the online payment option will ensure transparency in user fee collection. Haritha Karma Sena (HKS) workers, who handle the waste pickup, will also find the updated version easier to use. To help them adapt, the department has conducted training sessions on the new platform.

Alongside Malayalam, efforts are being made to add Tamil and Kannada language options. To ensure full coverage, all buildings in the state are being mapped through KSMART and linked to the Haritha Mithram app.

The platform also offers a provision for collective waste collection in apartment complexes and industrial areas, generating a single bill for the entire unit. Another notable feature is on-demand service, which allows people to request collection of specific waste types, such as clothes or glass, beyond the regular schedule, by paying a fixed fee. This service will be implemented only with the consent of the local body and the HKS unit concerned.

In the next phase, residents will receive notifications with the date and time of upcoming collection, along with the contact details of the HKS worker assigned to them. Since the new version is fully cloud-based, several technical glitches of the earlier app are expected to be resolved.