Council head promotes civic sense, says it begins at home

Mohit Sonu Kundra, the first citizen of the historic town of Machhiwara and President of the Municipal Council, is setting an example for all residents by embodying the true spirit of civic duty.

Kundra has emphasised the conservation of natural resources such as water and electricity, reduction of solid waste generation, discouragement of encroachment and optimal use of online public utility services as the most effective strategies. These efforts have helped him garner commendable support from both his followers and the wider public.

“Solid waste management remains the biggest challenge for our council, as it is for most civic bodies in the state,” said Kundra. He revealed that he conducted an informal study to understand waste generation trends across domestic and commercial units, finding a steep rise in daily garbage output in areas under the Municipal Council’s jurisdiction.

Aiming to make Machhiwara the first civic body to launch organised efforts for waste reduction, Kundra stated that he first encouraged his own family to adopt the ‘Reduce, Reuse, Recycle’ principle. “Only after we began practising it at home did I ask the Council to put up boards and banners urging the public to cooperate in minimising waste,” he said.

He also acknowledged that overflowing sewer lines continue to be a persistent issue across civic bodies, attributing the core problem to excessive water wastage—especially during washing of vehicles, clothes and floors.

“Let me confess—I didn’t realise the volume of water wasted by our servants while washing our cars until I understood how it was worsening the sewerage issue,” said Kundra. To address this, he installed a specially designed jet pump that uses minimal water for cleaning. He added that vehicles with PPF (Paint Protection Film) coatings should ideally be washed less frequently.

Kundra expressed appreciation for the growing support of residents—particularly his supporters—who are responding positively to his appeals. They are increasingly cooperating in reducing garbage, segregating waste at the source, conserving water and electricity, and using space in front of homes and shops responsibly to ensure smooth traffic flow.