Haryana's Karnal Municipal Corporation ropes in motivators for waste segregation drive

With an aim to achieve a better rank in Swachh Survekshan, 2025-26, the Karnal Municipal Corporation (KMC) has roped in 15 motivators in the city under the Information, Education and Communication activities of the Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban).

These motivators are visiting households in every ward to create awareness among citizens about segregating wet and dry waste at source.

Karnal city got the third rank in the country in the ‘Swachh Shehar’ category (population 50,000-3 lakh) in Swachh Survekshan 2024-25, emerging as Haryana’s first city to receive the award from the President of India Droupadi Murmu. Karnal scored an impressive 11,067 out of 12,500, earned a 3-star ‘Garbage-Free City’ rating, and achieved ‘Water Plus’ status. Earlier, Karnal had ranked 115th in 2023. After this achievement, on the call of Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, the initiative Swachh Shehar Jodi (SSJ) was started, under which Karnal was assigned the mentoring of five smaller municipal bodies — Siwan, Ismailabad, Narnaund, Kalanwali and Rajound, turning the city from a performer into a mentor on urban hygiene.

The authorities emphasised that proper waste segregation at homes, workplaces, and public places significantly reducedhazardous and infectious waste. “It helps create a safe, clean, and healthy environment while minimising the risk of exposure to harmful substances,” said Ashok Kumar, Additional Municipal Commissioner (AMC).

He said that scientific waste management played a crucial role in protecting both public health and the environment, and is essential for maintaining city cleanliness.

He further said kitchen waste such as vegetable peels, leftover food, rotten fruits, and tea leaves should be disposed of in the green dustbin. Wet waste could be converted into high-quality compost, which enhanced soil fertility. Similarly in dry waste, items such as plastic bottles, paper, cartons, tins, and cardboard should be disposed of in the blue dustbin. Dry waste could be easily recycled, reducing the need for new resources, he said. He said mixing wet and dry waste generates toxic gases and chemicals that pollutes soil, water, and air. Segregation prevents waste from directly reaching landfills, thereby reducing pollution, he added.

AMC Kumar appealed to citizens to segregate waste at home, stressing that appropriate waste management was vital for health, environmental protection and urban sanitation. “Waste heaps attract flies, insects, and disease-causing agents. Proper waste management reduces the risk of disease spread,” Kumar said.