Chakachak check
F-north ward has performed the best in the Clean up Mumbai campaign initiated by the MCGM. Swati Soni reports…….Swati Soni
The Mumbai Chakachak campaign announced with much fanfare by the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) recently, has fizzled out sooner than expected. Though much was made of the prospect of clean-up marshals issuing and fining Mumbais litter-bugs, in reality, not much has happened. But one ward which has done well in the clean-up campaign is the F-north ward, where assistant commissioner Suhas Karvande boasts of a collection of Rs.3.5 lakh per month for the ward.
Says Karvande, It was a challenge. My area has some beautiful spots like Hindu Colony and Five Gardens. But I wanted even public spots to be neat and clean, so we took this drive seriously and the results have been overwhelming.
The drive has just not focused on those found urinating and spitting in public places, but also includes other categories like construction debris, bio-medical waste, washing vehicles, bathing at undesignated places and feeding birds and animals in unauthorised areas .
We have heavily fined people found littering in public spaces and construction sites. The operation was carried out in all areas, including hospitals. Our highest collection per day has been over Rs 20,000, states Karvande, who credits his team for the success of the mission.
The ward wants to take up this drive to another level, but faces many obstacles. I want more staff and the MCGM should depute it. But it is getting difficult for us to keep up the pace. We have already told the corporation and hope they agree to consider our request, says Karvande.
I wanted even public spots to be neat and clean, so we took this drive seriously and the results have been overwhelming
– Suhas Karvande Assistant Commissioner F-north Ward
Do you Want your area to be cleaned?
Karmyog, a non-governmental organisation and the MCGM have tied up to provide this service. This is how the scheme works:
* If you can get 25 citizens together for a Cleanliness Drive in your area, the MCGM will send equipment and workers to clean up your area.
* The Drive should result not only in a clean place but also beautification. So you should undertake to do something e.g. whitewashing the compound walls, or planting shrubs in some of the cleaned areas to reduce vacant spaces that invite people to throw rubbish, etc.
* If you paint / whitewash private property, the MCGM will do the same with the MCGM property there e.g. kerbside, dividers, street furniture, etc.
* If you identify spots where those green litterbins should be put, MCGM can arrange for them.
* The whole exercise usually takes three hours, and it can be availed of on all days except Monday.
* If you are interested, send a detailed request to Karmayog (www.karmayog.com), which includes:
– Your name and contact number
– Locality details
– A note on how unclean the situation is now
– which day of the week and time is suitable for you.
Karmayog will forward your mail to the concerned person in the MCGM, and follow up with them.