Following the strike of over 900 sanitation workers from the Shimla Health Beautification Environment and Heritage (SEHB) Society, Mayor Surender Chauhan took immediate action to maintain cleanliness in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, India. The strike, which began on May 15, 2023, was prompted by the Municipal Corporation's decision to eliminate the annual 10% salary hike for workers. To mitigate the impact of the strike, the Municipal Corporation activated alternative waste collection arrangements and hired additional labourers. Chauhan personally participated in garbage collection, stating he managed to collect 90% of the waste himself throughout the day. He announced plans to increase the number of garbage collection vehicles and labourers from Monday onwards, ensuring that services continue until the strike ends. The mayor also appealed to the sanitation workers to return to work, promising that their demands would be taken into consideration during a meeting scheduled for June 4. The situation raised concerns about waste accumulation during the peak tourist season, prompting emergency sanitation operations across the city.