Is Mysuru really a clean city?

Sir,

We come across many news items that Mysuru is once again in the race for being adjudged as the cleanest city in India. We wonder what are the parameters to fulfil to even qualify to vie for such a tag?

When it comes to the basic parameters, the City Corporation has failed in even ensuring that sewage and drainage system is in place.

Our apartment building is in upmarket Saraswathipuram, a stone’s throw from Kukkarahalli Kere main gate. It is surrounded by Mysore University staff quarters and a heritage building and the international hostel of Mysore University.

For the past 8 years, we have been constantly suffering from clogged sewage and the stench emanating from overflowing sewage water is unbearable. This happens at least 5 to 6 times a year.

Every time, we have to approach the MCC authorities to send their truck to clear the clogging. It is a health hazard not to speak of the costs involved.

There are food vendors and coffee shops in the vicinity not too far from the sewage overflow, which attracts flies. It is needless to point out the ill-effects on the health and well-being of a large number of Mysureans who eat at these stalls.

There is something very fundamentally wrong in the way the sewage pipes have been laid and this needs to be rectified and replaced through committed effort from the authorities concerned. There is no other solution possible. We are bearing the brunt of faulty sewage pipes laid.

The question now is, who will bell the cat? Will the authorities take cognisance of this lack of basic sanitation before Mysuru can vie for a competitive rating as the cleanest city?