“When I was on a visit to Los Angeles in May 2017, I studied the garbage disposal system and the conservancy operations in the city. One thing that stood out was the meticulous care with which the street clean-ups were carried out. Prior information about a street clean-up would be communicated to residents of the respective area so that they would remove their vehicles on the day,” says R. Chandrasekaran, president, RA Puram Residents’ Association (RAPRA), revealing the inspiration behind a clean-up drive that is sweeping through the streets of R.A. Puram.
For the last two months, RAPRA, has been organising clean-ups across the neighbourhood, with the assistance of private conservancy agency Ramky and the police. On August 2, the clean-up was held at Fifth Main Road.
According to residents, the initiative is a success.
“We inform the residents about the clean-up a day or two in advance on WhatsApp. We also ask them not to park their vehicles on the street from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.,” says Arjun Chari, a resident. “The police help us by making announcements about the clean-up through a public address system.”
In the initial stages of the exercise, a section of the residents refused to remove their vehicles from the streets. That’s where policing helped. With the police made co-partners in the initiative, illegally parked vehicles were also removed.
“Apart from the clean-up, residents register complaints about uncleared garbage on the streets, haphazard and illegal parking of vehicles,” says Chandrasekaran, adding that over 200 members are in the WhatsApp group.
Display of placards with information about the clean-up has also helped generate interest among the residents in the initiative.
“This should be emulated by other residents welfare associations,” says S. D. Venkatesh, project head, Ramky Enviro Engineers Limited, who took part in the event.
Mylapore Residents Welfare Association, Jeth Nagar Residents Welfare Association and Kotturpuram Residents Welfare Association are a few other associations that conduct regular clean-ups on their streets.
On August 4, the clean-up drive will cover Fourth Main Road, between 11 a.m., and 1 p.m. For details, contact Chandrasekaran at 98410 30040.