Waste disposal plagues Bathinda’s efforts
BATHINDA : Delayed response to public grievances on civic problems was among the key factors that drastically brought down Bathinda’s rank in Swachh Survekshan-2020.
Bathinda was ranked 79 (in 1-10 lakh population segment cities) this year and was the cleanest in Punjab. The municipal corporation (MC) scored marginally higher absolute points in the overall cleanliness parameter, scoring 3,526 points (of 6,000) than 3,520 (of 5,000) in 2019.
This year, however, the city slipped to the 108th rank (on the basis of total points scored in more than 1 lakh population cities category) from the 31st national position achieved in 2019.
The local body scored zero on 1,000 points for garbage-free city (GFC) parameters that were part of the 2020 cleanliness assessment.
Redress of complaints within 12-hours, management of bulk waste generators and processing of waste lying unattended at the solid waste management plant are key components that make up GFC rating.
Performed well in door-to-door collection
The city has high performance in door-to-door collection of municipal waste. A functional solid waste management plant and open defecation free (ODF) ++ certification remained key achievements.
The poor storm-water drainage system is one of the biggest infrastructure shortcomings for this major urban centre in the south Malwa belt.
Bathinda’s efforts towards ensuring cleanliness in commercial areas did not earn much appreciation or approval from independent surveyors.
The local body has adopted the
malpractice of dumping garbage at an open space near the AC Market in Arya Samaj Chowk.
Punjab Urban Development Authority (PUDA) owns the land, which is not a dump yard. Locals use the site as a parking lot, with the civic body using the walled area as a dump yard.
Municipal commissioner Bikram Shergill said the waste collected after sweeping the entire market area is taken to an open site at the Arya Samaj Chowk before this mound of refuse is taken to the waste processing plant.
“Garbage is lifted and the area is cleaned every day,” said Shergill, adding that in spite of their best efforts, the city could not score well.
“On August 21, I had written a letter to the Punjab Municipal Infrastructure Development Company, the state’s nodal agency for Swachh Survekshan programme, disputing the survey methodology that the third party had adopted. MC’s performances for sweeping commercial areas twice a day and independent disposal of waste by bulk generators were not audited judiciously,” he said.
A resident of Housefed Colony Nirmal Singh said, “One can hardly find trash bins in the markets. The MC should impose heavy penalty for those damaging bins or littering the streets,” he said.
Former mayor Balwant Rai Nath said the lack of support in planning and execution from the state machinery led to the poor ranking.