May 4, 2017, Union Minister of Urban Development Venkaiah Naidu announced the results of Swachh Survekshan-2017 and everybody in the tricity was sure of Chandigarh winning the coveted title. But, to the shock and surprise of everyone, Chandigarh did not even figure in Top 10 cleanest cities in India out of 434 surveyed on cleanliness index. Chandigarh has slipped from 2nd last year to 11th in the survey this year.
(Swachh Survekshan is annual survey under Swachh Bharat Mission – Urban (SBM-U) conducted by the ministry of urban development to encourage the cities to work on cleanliness drive bringing a friendly competition amongst them.)
The disappointment is visible on every city beautiful lover’s face and the MC Chandigarh is busy retrospecting where it has lagged behind.
Evaluation Criteria & Weightage:
Overall Performance of Chandigarh in Swachh Survekshan-2017
Rank: 11th
Total score: 1701/2000
Percentage: 85.05%
Public feedback: 379/600
The reasons for plummeting Chandigarh rank:
- Garbage collection failed: City generates 350 tonnes of garbage a day and 250 tonnes is lifted every day against 300 tonnes every day in 2014. Atleast 300 more bins are required.
- Shortage of manpower: Currently, there is 33% shortage of sweepers only. Atleast 1,400 more sweepers are needed.
- Right equipment for garbage disposal: The city needs at least 15 more vehicles (dumpers) to ferry the waste
- Color-coded bins: Despite Chandigarh Pollution Control Board’s instructions issued in 2012, no color-coded bins at vegetable and meat markets to separate biodegradable, recyclable and non-biodegradable have been installed yet.
- Sehaj safaikendras: With a view to enforce the segregation of waste and to ensure better management of Municipal Solid waste in the city, sehaj safaikendras and Khad Bano Kendras were built. In 15 years, only 35 sehaj safaikendras set up, against a target of 132.
- Pilot project of door-to-door.
- Public toilets in bad shape.
- Poor Performance on public feedback: 30% weightage was given to public feedback about the cities in the Swachh Surveykshan-2017. Chandigarh scored just 379 out of 600 on this. Mayor Asha Jaswal admitted that the Chandigarh MC did not conduct an extensive public awareness campaign to encourage people to provide their feedback.
What the officials have to say?
Officials did their best
Facilities such as mobile toilets were provided. Officials did their best. Had residents come forward for the survey, the position would have been better. — Asha Jaswal, Mayor
Poor response from residents
The MC has done its best and even scored highest marks in two categories. It was residents’ poor response that resulted in the slip. — B Purushartha, MC Commissioner
City lacks infrastucture
The sanitation has gone from bad to worse. Officers believe in meetings. the city lacks infrastructure to keep it clean. — BS Bittu, FOSWAC Chairman
Do voice your opinion in the comments section where you think the city has lagged behind and any suggestions you have to improve.
Be a responsible Chandigarhian!
Source: The Tribune, Hindustan Times
Chandigarh is *NOT* in Top 10 Cleanest Cities in Swachh Survekshan-2017
