East Delhi surprises with big jump, NDMC with drop

NEW DELHI: The capital’s municipal bodies have failed to maintain their rankings in the nationwide cleanliness survey carried out by the Union housing and urban affairs ministry early this year.

The Swachh Survekshan 2019 report released on Wednesday mentions that three of the five municipalities in Delhi fared much worse than their earlier ranks. New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), which was at the fifth rank, dropped one position, while South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) plummeted to the 138th rank from last year’s 32nd.

However, east corporation (EDMC), which was at a historic low of 341 last year, has climbed up 101 spots. North corporation has been adjudged the worst faring area in the capital with 282nd rank. Last year, it was at 206th position. In the separate category of cantonment board rankings, Delhi Cantonment was judged the cleanest among 62 such areas across the country. It held the top spot last year too.

Official attribute the lower rank to change in methodology, complicated procedure of documentation, funds shortage, lack of political will behind enforcing waste segregation at source, implementing user charges and other sanitation facilities. Out of 5,000 marks, NDMC scored 4,191, SDMC 2,642, EDMC 2,095 and north corporation 1,901.


“Before starting the survey, we were told that cities with over one lakh population will be divided into three categories—between 1-3 lakh population, 3-10 lakh and above 10 lakh. However, the old procedure was followed. Cities with three lakh and above population can’t be judged on the same criteria. Those with a population less than three lakh can make the best out of their resources in comparison to those with 50-60 lakh population,” said an SDMC official.

“Moreover, we couldn’t apply for ODF++ ratings because no arrangements could be made for providing additional facilities at public toilets due to shortage of funds and unfavourable conditions to fulfill all norms required for Swachh rankings,” the official said.

NDMC chairman Naresh Kumar said they may have slipped by a position, but the civic body was awarded ODF++ status and 3-star garbage-free city ranking.

A EDMC official said, “We may not have been able to provide world-class facilities, but special emphasis was given on cleaning public toilets by engaging staff in two shifts. We also paid attention to keeping roads and public places free from debris and garbage.”

Congratulating Paryavaran Sahayaks (sanitation workers), East Delhi mayor Bipin Bihari Singh said, “Even in adverse financial conditions, the corporation made serious efforts to keep east Delhi clean and green. We expect a better rank in the next survey.”

North corporation officials attribute their low rank to institutional challenges and geography. “We have still not been able to achieve ODF status, which leads to a large deduction in points. Open defecation was found in Rohini, which has rural areas and a large number of dairy colonies. Also, we are facing a resource crunch and financial constraints,” said an official. The civic body has also failed to implement waste segregation even in its model colonies.

Chitra Mukherjee, a waste management expert from Chintan environment and research action group, said that informal sector in waste management has been ignored. “Municipalities in Delhi claim a lot of things, but they remain on paper. Cities like Mysuru and Goa have already displayed that garbage segregation at source can be done, but we are reluctant to move down the path. Decentralised system is the way forward,” she added.