City ranked 11th cleanest in Swachh Bharat survey

Mangaluru is the 11th cleanest city in the country, as per the Swachh Bharat ranking survey conducted during 2014-15. The survey was commissioned by the Ministry of Urban Development under the National Sanitation Policy of 2008.

The rankings are based on the extent of open defecation and solid waste management practices in these cities.

Mysuru tops the list
Mysuru leads the cities with minimal open defecation and extensive adoption of solid waste management practices. The Swachh Bharat rankings are based on a total of 42 marks including 20 for open defecation indicators and 22 for solid waste management indicators, according to th survey report.

Speaking to Deccan Herald, MCC Commissioner Gokuldas Nayak said “owing to the migrant population who arrive in the city in search of employment, we cannot declare ourselves free from open defecation”. 

“Though all the households have toilet facilities, it is the migrant population which lives in tents in sea shore still defecate in open places.

The UGD system has not covered the entire city jurisdiction. The old UGD system needs to be rejuvenated. The work on the same will be taken up under second phase of KUDCEMP project funded by ADB. The Mangaluru city has scope for improvement and attain the top position in the country.”

Mangaluru Mayor Jacintha Vijay Alfred said “Mangaluru is far better in terms of cleanliness when compared to other major cities.

There was a need to improve in sanitation. The public should join hands with the local body in maintaining the city clean. An awareness needs to be created among public not to dump the garbage on vacant place, beside the road and in markets.”

On the other hand, Leader of opposition in the Council of Mangalore City Corporation Sudheer Shetty felt that with effective disposal of garbage and improving the UGD system, Mangaluru can reach the top position in cleanliness.

 “As we have failed to segregate the garbage, we had to satisfy with the 11th position in the country.

The Antony Waste Handling Cell Private Limited that has been entrusted with the responsibility of waste collection has not been effective in carrying out door-to door garbage collection and also in segregating the garbage. Though we have spent Rs 240 crore under first phase of ADB project, we have failed in completing the UGD works.

The work that was taken up has failed to connect sewer lines from houses of the residents to the manholes of the main sewage-carrying pipelines in several areas. If we get the smart city tag and and under  Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT), the MCC should give trust on UGD and water supply. There is a need to create awareness among general public on segregating the garbage at the source,” he added.

Need for mechanism
Rajesh Rao, a resident of Lalbagh said “the MCC should develop a mechanism for the effective disposal of garbage. Unlike metropolitian cities like Mumbai, Mangaluru city does not have difficulty in disposal of garbage. We have failed in the management of garbage.”

On the other hand, Jeevitha, a resident of Morgan’s Gate said “compared to other major cities, Mangaluru city is far better in cleanliness.

The 11th position is not satisfying for a city which is known for its literacy. If UGD system and solid waste management system is made effective, we have all parameters to reach the number one city in the country.”