Malu Kerni
Several campaigns, huge hoardings launched by the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (SBA) have failed to improve the sanitation situation in city. The city still presents a dirty look as failure of the municipal bodies and poor civic sense among residents has turned the city into a huge garbage dump.
Hoardings and posters campaigns launched by Jammu Municipal Corporation have failed to make any impact on ground level. Huge amount was spent on these campaigns but all in vain.
The city ranks 427th, lowest in India, when it comes to cleanliness, which exposes the poor planning and lack of interest shown by the concerned authorities to coordinate their efforts to involve people in sanitation drive and take strict action against those who violate cleanliness rules.
Half of the daily solid waste it is not lifted due to shortage of manpower and in the absence of suitable dumping ground. Moreover, there is no regular removal of solid waste generated by eateries and restaurants spread across the city.
Heaps of garbage, stagnant water and blocked drains in every part of the city tell a tale of neglect and indifferent attitude of the authorities and residents, who dump the waste on roads without giving any consideration to the affect on the image of the city.
Ritika Verma, a homemaker said, “I feel the money spent by the MC on media advertisements, hoardings, posters should better be utilised to engage more safai karamcharies and equipment required. Also, there is dire need to impose fine on the people who dump their waste on roadsides. Addressing press conferences and rallies is not a solution to this. It is high time that MC act on ground level and take some serious steps to make city neat and clean.”
Rohit Jamwal, a student said, “Swachh Bharat mission in our state only benefitted officials and other high profile people who just to gain publicity have organized press meets and pose with Broom in hands and nothing on ground level is being done by any of the officials. No doubt the mission was launched in Universities, colleges, schools, mohallas but only for the day and after that the situation remains
the same.
Heaps of garbage are everywhere in the city, especially the areas where Matadors, auto-rickshaws and private vehicles are parked and no one is bothered.”
