Year after Swachh Bharat Abhiyan was launched, city reels under stink

Sukhmeet Bhasin

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, October 2

On October 2, 2014 Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Swachh Bharat Abhiyan” to make India clean was launched with much fanfare with politicians, bureaucrats and others picking up the broom to sweep different areas in the city. People hailed it as the beginning of a new movement and a step towards fulfilling Bapu’s wish for a “Swachh Bharat”. Just one year later, all seems to have been forgotten. The foul-smelling garbage are back to haunt the city even as the banners encouraging people to participate wholeheartedly in the “Swachh Bharat” campaign still flutters in the air.

Garbage problem remains a cause of concern for residents in the city as heaps of garbage can still be seen lying at the various areas. The city was the first in the state where a private company was roped in to collect and transport the garbage. But the scheme seems to have failed in maintaining hygiene and measuring up to the expectations and satisfaction of residents here.

The drains in the city are in a pathetic condition as sewage and garbage are being thrown into them despite the fact that sewage treatment plant is available and being run below its capacity. Taking a round of the city, one would encounter the bitter experience of the stinking drains, which have not been cleaned from long.

The sanitation workers have not even cleaned the streets for the last few days as they are busy in their union elections, voting which were held today. Due to which condition have become quite pathetic and garbage have piled up.

Major factors that hampered the garbage collection are low pay of the sweepers of the private company, lack of monitoring and no accountability.

Vikas Garg, a city resident said, roads appear clean during the VIP visits but on other days, they look otherwise. The habit of burning small heaps of garbage in the middle of the roads should be stopped immediately. The violators, who dump the garbage in the open, should be penalised.

Congress councillor Jagroop Singh Gill said the only propaganda of the Swach Bharat Abhiyan was to advertise about the government itself. Had the money used in giving incentives to the sweepers, it would have produced better results.

He added that by taking broom in hands to be on television or newspapers, does not yield results. One needs good governance and proper arrangements.

Mayor Balwant Rai Nath admitted that the Swatch Bharat Abhiyan has failed to bring results as desired by them. He also said, “We need to create awareness among people and for which we now are planning to visit government schools and make them aware about this.”