Dhols at the doorstep: Chandigarh beats litterbugs at their own garbage game

Video captured by neighbour throwing garbage at public place; another showed a man discreetly dropping a packed bundle of waste at a public spot, until a neighbour’s camera caught him in the act.

Accompanied by drummers, enforcement staff marched to their homes, confronted them, returned the dumped trash, and issued on-the-spot penalties. “This approach aims to instil a sense of responsibility, and, deliver a dose of embarrassment to habitual violators,” said Sanitary Inspector Davinder Rohilla, who led the operation.

The two offenders belong to Ward 5 (Mori Gate) and Ward 6 (Gobindpura) of Manimajra.

The first-of-its -kind campaign launched on Monday encourages residents to photograph littering, upload the images and location on the Municipal Corporation app, and let the civic staff take it from there. After verification by the area inspector, challans are issued. To boost participation, the MC is offering Rs 250 to anyone whose report is verified.

Officials said Manimajra residents are already responding enthusiastically, with people “vigilant and technologically empowered” enough to upload evidence of violations instantly. Safai Mitras also joined the drive, underscoring the civic body’s push to make Chandigarh cleaner in the run-up to national cleanliness rankings.

The MC has urged residents to use only designated collection vehicles and to segregate waste properly. “The public is alert now, and strict penalties will follow,” an official said.

‘Don’t embarrass people, tell them quietly’

But not everyone is convinced. Senior Deputy Mayor Jasbir Bunty criticised the public-shaming model. “Don’t embarrass people; tell them quietly not to throw garbage in the open,” he said.

“If we want Chandigarh to climb higher in cleanliness rankings, this is not the way. I condemn the decision to go to their homes with dhol-nagaras. Officials should simply advise them politely. This decision should be taken back.”

Whether the dhols stay or go, the civic body appears determined to keep the noise up, at least around littering.