Grozny residents complain about systemic problems with garbage removal

The regional operator does not collect household waste from the streets of Grozny for a week, there is a stench near the garbage bins, and it is impossible to get through to a specialized service, but they demand payment for the service in full, city residents said. The problem with garbage is typical for large cities in the North Caucasus, analysts said.

As "Kavkazsky Uzel" wrote, complaints about irregular garbage collection are received from residents of different regions of Chechnya, and the republican waste collection operator cites a shortage of workers. Workers are offered wages that do not correspond to the difficult working conditions, social network users are sure.

Residents of Grozny interviewed by the "Caucasian Knot" called the work of the regional garbage removal operator in Chechnya disgusting.

"The service's work is disgusting. They don't take out the garbage, they don't answer calls, but they constantly take money. And if you risk not paying, they'll call all day. And when we need to get through to them, they don't answer calls. We've had a mountain of garbage on 2nd Belorussky Lane for a week. It was only cleaned up yesterday. The head of always talks about cleanliness and order in his speeches, but they apparently don't hear him. But they want money all the time," Zilya told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

The garbage problem is still not solved on Eltiyev Street.

"They haven't picked up the garbage on Eltiyev Street for a week now. And it's always like that. A KamAZ truck drives past full bins and gets zero attention. Sometimes men have to tell the drivers to pick up the garbage. Why should we pay you if you work like this?" - Zaynap was indignant.

According to her, calls to the operator don't produce any results. "They either don't answer or tell you to wait, there aren't enough workers. And how long do you have to wait? The whole yard stinks," she complained.

In addition, Grozny residents are unhappy with the quality of the work being done.

"Not only do they not collect the garbage for a week, which is why the whole street smells. But when they do collect the garbage, they leave half of it and scatter it all over the street. At first, when Onyx started, everything was great. Every time you have to call and demand that the garbage be collected," Anzor told "Caucasian Knot."

According to him, the contract states that the garbage must be collected twice a week.

"They come once a week. I've never seen them come twice. But the bins are always overflowing. And they collect money every month, without delay," he noted.

Magomed is engaged in waste removal, but mainly construction waste. However, in recent days he has been asked to take out household garbage.

"They call me and ask how much the job costs, but I refuse because I feel sorry for the car. Then how many times do I have to wash the truck so it doesn't stink? So no, let them wait for the utility workers," he told a "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

There were also problems with calling the garbage in the courtyard of his house in the Baysangurovsky District.

"Yes, the garbage wasn't taken out for several days. It smelled bad. Residents called and complained to someone. A couple of days ago, everything was taken out and washed," he said.

Political scientist Ruslan Kutayev* confirms that the garbage the collapse in Grozny is due to a shortage of labor.

"This is a problem for all big cities, not just the North Caucasus. Right now, there is a shortage of labor everywhere willing to do this dirty work. Many people quit because the work is hard, dirty, and they don't pay enough. So it's all natural," he told the "Caucasian Knot."

According to him, the problem has gotten out of control for the authorities.

"And the fact that they talk about it, discuss it, and the authorities openly acknowledge the problem, means that the problem is getting out of control, and it is taking the form of a serious problem that is difficult to solve," he noted.

The problem with calling the garbage in Grozny is typical for big cities, Yulia Salnikova, an expert in the field of housing and communal services, is sure.

"Garbage removal problems are indeed typical for many large cities in the North Caucasus, since there is a shortage of qualified personnel, insufficient infrastructure development and difficulties with logistics due to the mountainous terrain in a number of areas. If we compare it with Makhachkala, there are more problems with garbage removal, especially in the private sector and remote areas due to the higher density of development and more difficult terrain. In the case of Grozny, the problem can be quickly solved by increasing the fleet of special equipment," she told a "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

As for the ratings that Grozny tops as a city where the quality of life is better than others, the methodology is to blame.

"Grozny's high positions in quality of life ratings and simultaneous problems with garbage disposal really create a paradoxical picture. This can be explained by the methodology of the ratings. Many quality of life ratings are based on economic, social, and infrastructure indicators, and problems with individual utilities can dissolve in the overall positive dynamics of other areas. Hence such results," she explained.

Thus, Grozny took first place (75.6 points) in the Russian Federation according to the quality of life index among cities based on the results of the first quarter of 2024 and overtook Moscow (75.2), RBC reported on April 20, 2024, citing a study by the Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation.

* are included in the register of foreign agents.

** the activities of the Meta company (which owns Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp) are prohibited in Russia.