Mysuru: Every year the District Administration and Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) swings into action during the Swachh Survekshan surveys to see that the city is declared a winner. Sadly, things return to normal as the apathy and neglect continue, once the exercise is over, say the residents expressing their ire.
The city bagged the top award in the medium category in the country. Everyone including the District Administration, MCC, Brand Ambassadors, civil society and the Pourakaramikas worked hard for the award. However, within two months the garbage mess is seen in most parts of the city.
There is foul smell in the air as tonnes of garbage lie uncleared on Valmiki Road in V.V. Mohalla. The irony is that the overflowing garbage bin is very close to the Judge’s Quarters and PWD Assistant Engineer’s Office.
A board has been put up by Corporator S.B.M. Manju asking people not to throw the garbage on the road but put it in the garbage bin. ‘Our city Mysuru is clean, beautiful, our layout will be still more beautiful, please put the garbage in the bin.’ However, none of the residents are responding to his appeal.
Another place where this scene is repeated is near the compound of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Bhavan that is coming up in Devaraja Mohalla where there is huge mound of garbage thrown every day. As soon as it is cleared in the morning, a few shopkeepers on Devaraj Urs Road litter this place again. As a result, the place is strewn with garbage throughout the day.
Apart from this, the stray cattle (there is a big menace of stray cattle on this important road) rummage through the garbage for food and hence, it lies scattered on the road. The footpaths on Krishna Vilas Road and near the Maharani’s PU College compound have been converted into garbage dumps. Similar is the situation in many other places.
The plastic ban is just a slogan and even though the theme this year for World Environment Day is ‘Beat Plastic Pollution,’ plastic bags and other items are found thrown everywhere.
The MCC which is tasked with clearing of garbage is neglecting its duties. Added to this, the people also must be held responsible for their insensitive attitude as they carelessly throw the garbage on the road instead of in the garbage bins.
Just as it is the responsibility of the MCC, it is also the duty of the public to cooperate with the Civic Body to relentlessly maintain the cleanliness of the city, is the message that needs to be driven both to the citizens and the administration, say a few civic conscious people.
Sir, I have been to various parts of Mysuru, including Outer Ring Road [ORR], during morning road run on Sundays’. During my runs, I observe enlightened citizens of Mysuru come in cars & two wheelers dump garbage on the either side of service roads on ORR and at the inlet feeder canal adjacent to Vishwamanava Double Road, near Kukkarahalli Lake. Wherever there is open space, it is an open invitation for throwing garbage by the enlightened citizens of Mysuru. Storm water drains on either side of ORR service roads needs maintenance due to missing & broken RCC covers. On the brighter side, tree plantation has been taken up on both sides of ORR. With regular supervision & maintenance, we can expect green cover.
Sir,
Reading the above letter, I am appalled by the behavior of our enlightened citizens. While it is the responsibility of the corporation to keep the city clean the citizens also have to do their civic duty to keep the city clean. As the saying goes it takes two to tango(a Latin dance).