The Times of India              27.05.2013

Garbage dumping in Nag River continues; Nagpur Municipal Corporation fines 100 violators

NAGPUR: After a 15-day-long drive (from May 1 to May 15) to clean Nag River, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation is facing hardships to keep it free of garbage. For, many Nagpurians, including shopkeepers and petty vendors, continue to dump all kind of waste in the river.

The situation seemed to be under control during the campaign. However, recent observations are not encouraging for plans to rejuvenate the iconic river. Shopkeepers continue to dump waste on the river's banks. And this has been going on for last several years, said NMC health officials. "Despite such a massive drive, the NMC is not getting much support from Nagpurians. Even warnings to violators have not helped," said NMC health officer (sanitation) Dr Ashok Urkude.

Several residential areas along the 17-km route of the river are again being littered with waste. NMC has identified some spots near Panchsheel Square, Dhantoli police station, alongside Great Nag Road and Nandanvan.

NMC health department had also launched a drive to punish violators on May 6. So far, 100 persons have been fined and Rs80,700 recovered.

Kaustav Chatterjee, co-founder of a city based NGO Green Vigil Foundation, wondered how citizens can do this. "Our NGO was actively involved in 'Save Nag River' campaign conducted by NMC. Our members went door-to-door to educate citizens about the need to rejuvenate Nag River," he said.

The dumping in the river points towards the larger issue of garbage collection and waste management. Chatterjee said, "We must realize that such campaign needs to be conducted through the year and the NMC must ensure proper garbage collection. Many citizens complain that garbage collection vans don't visit their locality regularly. We have also found that several gutter lines are choked. Such issues have been resolved in the past after arranging meetings with NMC officials, public representatives and citizens. I feel the need of the hour is public awareness, continuous supervision and strict implementation of laws along with levy of penalty on violators. Otherwise, it will be very difficult to save our signature River," he said.

Dr Urkude has appealed citizens to cooperate with the civic body in keeping the river clean.