The waste collection crisis in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, has intensified as residents face irregular garbage collection due to a shortage of sanitation workers. This disruption, caused by the mass departure of around 600 workers returning to Assam for the Legislative Assembly Elections in 2026, has resulted in delays of up to two weeks in waste collection across various localities. Complaints have surged, with residents reporting that garbage has piled up inside homes and on streets. Corporators from different wards have noted a significant increase in complaints, with some areas experiencing delays of over six days. The Lucknow Swachhta Abhiyan (LSA) and Lions Enviro, the private agencies responsible for waste management, are struggling to meet demand with reduced staff. The situation has raised public health concerns, prompting corporators to plan to address the crisis in the upcoming Lucknow Municipal Corporation (LMC) House meeting on April 15. They aim to push for better workforce management and accountability from the agencies involved.