Sir,

I wish to draw the attention of the authorities and the general public to a serious civic issue prevailing in Mysuru city — the alarming lack of public dustbins within the Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) limits.

It is evident that the Corporation shows visible concern for cleanliness mainly during the Swachh Survekshan period. For the rest of the year, sanitation efforts appear largely restricted to door-step garbage collection.

However, for a citizen who is on the move — walking, commuting, shopping or waiting at bus stops — there is practically no provision to safely dispose of even small waste such as wrappers, cups or tissues, as public dustbins are absent. This compels people to either carry waste for long distances or resort to littering the city.

Public places such as roadsides, markets, bus stops, parks and commercial areas continue to function without adequate dustbin infrastructure, resulting in unhygienic surroundings and a decline in civic discipline.

The situation in Electronic City, Bengaluru, stands as a practical and successful example. There, dustbins are placed at regular intervals and are easily reachable by pedestrians and commuters.

This demonstrates that installation and maintenance of public dustbins is neither impossible nor an impractical task when there is administrative intent.

As per CPHEEO (Central Public Health and Environmental Engineering Organisation) guidelines, urban local bodies are mandated to provide sufficient public waste bins (for every 300-500mts) at appropriate locations to ensure scientific solid waste management.

Unfortunately, these guidelines are not being implemented in Mysuru. Cleanliness should not be treated as a seasonal exercise limited to surveys and rankings. It must be a continuous civic responsibility supported by proper infrastructure, planning and enforcement.

Installation of public dustbins across the city in compliance with CPHEEO regulations, along with regular maintenance and public awareness, is the need of the hour.

I request the Mysuru City Corporation Commissioner to take immediate and sustained action in the interest of public health, urban hygiene and the dignity of our heritage city.

– Vidyuth, Mysuru, 26.1.2026

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