Campaign fails to spread Swachhta message

Anupam Bhagria

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, December 22

Swachh Bharat seems a distant dream. The campaign, launched on October 2, has failed to yield good results.

Littered roads still scar the face of the city. One can see garbage strewn in and around the city.

In October, members of various social organisations went into an cleanliness overdrive. But with the passage of time, the campaign fizzled out.

Basti Jodhwewal, Jawahar Nagar Camp, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, Chander Nagar, Deep Nagar, New Deep Nagar, Sherpur, Salim Tabri, Upkar Nagar, Durga Colony and the vegetable market at Fauji colony look like a garbage dumping site.

Rupa Rani, a resident at Deep Nagar, said was not aware of any such campaign. “We dump garbage in the open drain,” she said.

Ditto is the situation at Domoria Bridge. A shopkeeper said residents threw garbage in the open.

Areas along Tajpur Road and Chandigarh Road stink. Narender Kaur, a schoolteacher, said, “Heaps of garbage welcome visitors to the areas. Residents do not even bother to throw garbage in the bin.”

Even vacant plots have not been spared. Sarup Kumar, a resident of Dhandhran Road, said, “A sweeper charges Rs 50 to Rs 100 to lift the garbage, but residents, in order to save money, throw garbage in the open.” At venues for functions, one can see disposable plates and glasses scattered all around.

Stink emanating from garbage dumps has made the lives of residents miserable. Rekha, a resident of Jawahar Nagar, said, “Sanitation workers do not lift garbage on a regular basis and the area keeps stinking.”

Mayor speaks

Mayor Harcharan Singh Gohalwaria said, “The Swachh Bharat Abhiyan has brought about a change. Roads no longer look shabby. A lot has to be done to get things going. We need residents’ support. They should also keep their surroundings clean.” He said he would ask the MC Commissioner to create awareness among the residents.