Pics: Harshini Brahmavar/Justin D’Silva
Daijiworld Media Network –Udupi (JD)
Udupi, Jun 22: While many cities across India have improved in matters of cleanliness and hygiene due to the Swachh Bharat campaign, Udupi which is otherwise considered to be one of the clean cities is seemingly going backwards.
The Swachh campaign is failing to achieve expected results in Udupi. In spite of several individuals, college NSS, NCC units, political parties, various associations taking part in the Swachh campaign, garbage piles have become a common sight.
Daijiworld.com conducted a ground reality check in Udupi to gauge the success of the cleanliness drive. We found that areas in Kallianpur, Katapady, Nittur, Mabukala, Beedinagudde and many other places were filled with garbage piles.
Katapady
Kallianpur
Sasthan
In Kallianpur village, on both sides of the main road, a lot of garbage is found. In Pakkibettu, in Kallianpur, the locals are complaining about the garbage menace on the streets. “The main road is used by more than 5,000 people on a daily basis. The glass bottles thrown on the road sides are dangerous for pedestrians. A few days back, a person named Jyothi Correa had cleaned this place with her own money. But the habit of throwing garbage still continues,” complains Dr. Gerald Pinto who resides in the area.
The main road of Kallianpur leads to the many renowned educational institutions. Thousands of children, people use this road on a daily basis. The garbage on the road sides can affect people’s health. Wet waste from houses, alcohol bottles, clothes and other waste are found dumped here. The garbage flows into Swarna river in Kallianpur and contaminates water.
Katapady has a different story. In Katapady, people are so frustrated with the garbage menace that they have started to guard their area from garbage throwers. In Katapady near to the Manipura railway bridge many garbage heaps are found. Though the people residing here have cleared the garbage, it is back to square one in no time.
People of Manipura village have started guarding their surroundings during the night. “Even though we guard our place, garbage continues to heap up,” say locals. House waste, meat waste, alcohol bottles, worn out clothes, waste bags and other garbage is found dumped here. Everyday a lot of people use this road as it is the only road connecting Katapady town.
The local gram panchayat does not have a designated dump yard. This is the main reason that garbage ends up on the road, says a local.
Nittur, on the national highway 66 has become a black spot for Udupi district. The place on national highway welcomes commuters with piles of garbage all around. In both the sides of national highway, huge heaps of garbage are found. This place is largely populated by migrated working class people. They live in small thatched huts in and around this area. Cleanliness is a major issue. Other people too dump waste here. People travelling on the highway are also seen disposing waste here.
Beedinagudde was earlier the dumping yard of Udupi city. Though the practice has stopped, the legacy of the place being a dump yard continues with people throwing garbage in the area. Migratory workers live here. Garbage is dumped all over the place and attracts street dogs. The increasing population of the dogs has created fear among locals.
Ironically in the 'Swachh Darpan' rating under the 'Swachh Bharat' campaign, Udupi district stood first in the whole country. In the survey conducted by the Quality Council of India, the district has bagged the seventh place. In addition, the district has also bagged the 'States of State' award given by India Today journal.
There are many other places within the Udupi city limits where garbage piles can be found. These places are sure to affect Udupi’s Swacch Bharat ranking. Udupi was also declared as open defection free district. But even today in many places of Udupi where migrant people live, open defection still continues.
The cleanliness of the city is not the responsibility of the government alone. Citizens should also take the responsibility and support the government’s efforts in keeping the city clean. The city’s cleanliness is a matter of concern. Though Udupi has got top rankings, the reality is different.
Small acts by the people can help in keeping the city clean and tidy. The administration is trying its best to keep the city clean, but the people’s attitude has become a hurdle for positive change.