The Times of India               07.12.2013

MC's anti-litter drive catches residents' fancy

LUDHIANA: Residents have started to respond against littering of garbage in several areas of the city by giving complaint calls to the authorities on a regular basis. The Municipal Corporation of Ludhiana (MCL) had started a drive against littering of garbage in most areas of the city two weeks ago, that was welcomed by residents of Ludhiana. However, the civic body had to face the resentment of market associations, who blamed the Municipal Corporation (MC) for not making them aware before starting a drive.

But the MC has kept the resentment of these market associations aside, and decided to go ahead with the drive. What made the civic body to strongly go ahead with the idea are several complaints pouring in everyday by residents against littering on the roads. Amarjit Singh Sekhon, Joint Commissioner of MC, said that the drive was going well, and several residents have now started calling to register complaints regarding littering of garbage. "There was some resentment by market associations, but we have decided to go ahead with the anti-littering drive," said Sekhon.

Interestingly, the MC has distributed 5,000 pamphlets in the Chaura Bazaar area of the old city. The area has a large number of shops that result in trash on the roads. MC has taken up the area on priority, as the civic body has received several complaints from there. So far, 300 challans have been issued from Ghanta Ghar to Jagraon Bridge, near Damoriya Bridge and Hambran Road, where the MC has got positive results. "We have got major success in these areas, as shopkeepers have stopped littering on the roads in front of their premises," said Sekhon.

The MC's sanitation wing also checks the trash to verify it belongs to the shop in front of which it is lying. MC imposes a penalty of Rs 1,000 on shopkeepers and Rs 500 on cart-pullers. A total of 15,000 pamphlets will be distributed. The debris lying in front of houses at various places is also a major issue the MC was planning to tackle. Vipal Malhotra of MC's health and sanitation wing said the issuing of challans in residential areas would also start soon. "There are 5,500 sweepers in Ludhiana who are unable to remove trash from these residential areas. This is because residents throw garbage on the roads, that results in sanitation problems. Even residents have to contribute in keeping Ludhiana clean," said Malhotra.