Irregular collection of garbage a cause for concern in Mysuru

Mysuru: The Heritage City managed to jump six spots in the ‘Swachh Survekshan’ rankings this year, bagging the third spot on the list of ‘Cleanest Cities in India’. However, it appears as though this impressive jump in the rankings has seen complacency creep in among those entrusted with the responsibility of keeping Mysuru clean. Garbage collection, the efficiency of which has been the cornerstone of the city’s cleanliness index, in many parts of the city has been anything but impressive over the past few weeks. What is more worrisome is the sight of pourakarmikas working without required safety gear, which exposes them to a variety of health hazards.
However, officials in the Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) attributed irregular garbage collection to the restrictions in place owing to the imposition of the Model Code of Conduct. The officials averred that the problem would be set aright in a week’s time. “As far as safety gear is concerned, civic workers might be shunning them since summer,” an official said.
Gayathripuram II Stage, Ghousia Nagar, Giriyabhovi Palya are among the areas worst affected by irregular garbage collection. Residents in these localities said that trash, which the pourakarmikas collected every day without fail prior to the release of the Swachh Survekshan rankings, could be found heaped at vacant sites. Although they had been cleared recently, mounds of garbage have reappeared on vacant sites behind Anthony Church.
A driver, who helms the wheel of a garbage truck, said that the pourakarmikas went to designated localities each day in accordance with the instructions of the contractors. “We are sent to different localities each day. Since there are no small vehicles to lift garbage, we have to do this on rotation,” he said.
On the other hand, a civic worker laid the blame for garbage piling up at vacant sites on irresponsible residents, who he said continued to dump trash despite efforts made by civic agencies to prevent the same. “The attitude of the public does not help us,” he added.
Another pourakarmika said that the safety gear given by the MCC was of a substandard quality, which tore very easily. “They can be used just one time. “We are aware of the health hazards that working without safety gear exposes us to, but we just grin and bear it,” the worker said.
MCC health officer Dr DG Nagaraj, however, told pourakarmikas that donning safety gear while collecting garbage was not a choice. “Wearing gumboots and hand gloves is a must. MCC has distributed the necessary equipment to all the workers. Some of the workers might avoid using it given the soaring temperatures in the city, but it is compulsory to wear them. We conduct regular checks to see if the pourakarmikas don necessary equipment,” he added.
The health officer, however, admitted to delay in garbage collection in some localities since a section of pourakarmikas had been pressed into poll service. “Regular collection of garbage will commence in a week,” Nagaraj added.