The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has removed a total of 567.41 metric tonnes of firecracker waste across Chennai in the four days following Deepavali celebrations. The special cleaning drive is being carried out across the city to ensure the timely collection and safe disposal of firecracker waste.
According to a statement released by the Chennai Corporation, a large workforce, additional vehicles and specialised machinery have been deployed to speed up the post-Deepavali cleaning operations.
600 Additional Sanitation Workers Deployed Across Chennai
To manage the increased volume of firecracker waste after Deepavali, the Chennai Corporation has deployed 600 additional sanitation workers alongside its regular workforce of approximately 19,275 conservancy workers.
The civic body has also arranged 350 additional vehicles and machines, including tipper lorries, JCBs and Bobcat machines, for the special cleaning operation.
In addition, around 5,000 regular vehicles already involved in sanitation activities are being used for waste collection.
To ensure the separate collection and safe handling of firecracker waste, the Corporation has distributed 30,000 specially designed collection bags to sanitation workers.
Day-Wise Firecracker Waste Collection in Chennai
According to the Greater Chennai Corporation, the following quantities of firecracker waste were collected during the four-day special cleaning drive:
| Date | Firecracker Waste Collected |
| November 7, 2026 | 3.95 metric tonnes |
| November 8, 2026 | 148.91 metric tonnes |
| November 9, 2026 | 239.63 metric tonnes |
| November 10, 2026 (up to 3 PM) | 174.92 metric tonnes |
| Total | 567.41 metric tonnes |
The highest quantity of firecracker waste was collected on November 9, when sanitation workers removed 239.63 metric tonnes across Chennai.
The Corporation stated that the special firecracker waste collection drive is continuing throughout the city.
Scientific Disposal of Firecracker Waste
The Chennai Corporation is segregating the collected firecracker waste into two categories: unexploded firecrackers and used firecracker waste.
1. Disposal of Unexploded Firecrackers
Unexploded firecrackers are being collected sepeparately and transported to a dedicated processing facility in Gummidipoondi for safe disposal.
2. Disposal of Used Firecracker Waste
Paper, cardboard boxes and other combustible waste without chemical mixtures are being collected separately. These materials will be transported to the 50-metric-tonne-capacity incineration facility in Kodungaiyur for scientific disposal.
The segregation process aims to ensure the safe handling and environmentally responsible disposal of firecracker waste generated during Deepavali celebrations.
Chennai Corporation Intensifies Post-Deepavali Cleaning Drive
The Greater Chennai Corporation has intensified sanitation operations across the city with additional workers, collection vehicles and specialised equipment.
With 567.41 metric tonnes of firecracker waste already collected in four days, the civic body`s special cleaning drive is continuing to clear roads and public spaces and maintain cleanliness across Chennai.