‘Roko-toko’ mascots to stop open defecation

NEWDELHI: Mascots to stop people from relieving themselves in open spaces, guarding vacant plots to see that they don’t turn into open toilets, mechanical sweeping machines for street cleaning — the three municipal corporations launched a number of initiatives at an event organised at the Civic Centre to mark the anniversary of Swachh Bharat Mission on Monday.

On Monday, SDMC mayor Kamaljeet Sehrawat launched a month-long drive to ensure the regular usage of newly built toilets. The drive included spreading awareness and deploying ‘Roko-toko’ mascots to stop people from defecating in the open.

Roko-toko mascots will look for people coming out of their houses with water tumblers in hand, and will discourage them from defecating in the open and make them pledge to maintain cleanliness, said officials.

The officials will maintain watch at 105 “open-defecation” sites, identified with the help of Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board.

The civic body claimed to construct 86 community toilets, 271 public toilets and 25 mobile toilet vans before declaring 104 wards “open defecation free”. “We have done our part, now it’s the turn of residents,” said SDMC commissioner Puneet Goel.

After it declared all of its 64 wards open-defecation free, EDMC mayor Neema Bhagat flagged off three mechanical sweepers for cleaning wider roads. “Each sweeper cost the civic agency ₹62 lakh, and will cover 60 km distance in one shift. They will work at night to avoid inconvenience,” said Bhagat.

According to Bhagat, the densely populated east Delhi consists of 70% unauthorised colonies. “Open defecation is rampant here and to discontinue the practice we have worked very hard,” said Bhagat.

The North DMC has rationed 26,000 staff and allotted 250 people to each of its 104 wards. Standing committee chairman Tilak Raj Kataria said, “These workers will pick up a particular area in their ward every day and clean it... This would be done after completing their routine jobs.”

The civic body will also start cleaning markets at night.

“This is part of special sanitation drive to be carried for a fortnight before Diwali. Everyday one market would be washed clean. But we will need public cooperation to achieve better results,” sai Preety Agarwal, North DMC mayor.