Swachh Sarvekshan ’16: Bhopal gets a notch higher, but needs to get more responsible

Karnataka capital Mysuru may have bagged the title of “cleanest city” for the second consecutive year, but Madhya Pradesh’s capital too can do with a little smile for it has notched a step higher and scored better than last year. In 2014-15, Bhopal was on 22nd position out of and this year it ranks on 21st position out of 73 cities.

Not only this, MP’s 2 other cities – Indore (from 40th rank to 25) and Gwalior (from 64th to 30th) – too managed significant positions than last year. In 2014, the ministry had carried out a similar exercise in 476 cities and municipalities which have a population of over 1, 00,000.

The Urban Development Ministry on Monday announced the results of ‘Swachh Sarvekshan’ which began in October 2014. WTN spoke to a few responsible citizens of the city to know their feedback and this is what they had to say.

26-year-old Chetan Prasad Gupta, a student of Makhanlal Chaturvedi National University of Journalism and Communication expressing his views on the same said, “One year-one step. I think we can do better. Definitely it is the people who can bring about the change. The government has its own limitations. It has started a drive and it is for us to make it successful. Of course, I feel that the municipal authorities need to be a little vigilant and ensure that they do not cover, close or obstruct the drains while widening or repairing roads.”

Rajesh Narbariya, a businessman strongly feels unlike other big cities Bhopal, which is small and beautiful, can still be planned well. If done so – like proposed for the smart city – it will be something really amazing. Speaking about stepping into the first 10 list of clean cities he says, “We must thoroughly study and take tips from those already I the first five. We also need to understand that the municipal authorities are too much focused on the beautification of new Bhopal and neglecting the old city. Old city which is historically more significant and beautiful and equal emphasis must be paid to it.”

Housewife Rachna Verma chipping in adds, “Women, education, responsible citizens along with a sensible municipal clan play a major role in bagging the tag. Down south people are very responsible. They take onus for their deeds. We, Bhopalis, are also good but still need to go a long way.” She further adds, “The performance on information, education and behaviour change communication activity, door-to-door collection and transportation (of solid waste), processing and disposal of solid waste, besides provision of public and community toilets and construction of household individual toilets. We ought to follow. Window To News