Capital clean-up: After Swachh rankings, a look at how Delhi fares

Has the ranking improved and did the campaign pay off? The Indian Express hit the ground, visiting eight GVPs to find out:

Site visit

In the run-up to the G20 Summit, the municipal corporation had decided to identify points where trash is dumped and clear them promptly. “Garbage vulnerable points are open places where trash is found dumped regularly. The idea is to identify such points, clean them up, and place flower pots there so people won’t dump garbage there again,” Oberoi had said.

Out of the 158 GVPs recognised by the MCD, 11 were in the Central Zone; 15 in Shahdara; 13 in Karol Bagh; and 10 each in Shahdara North, Keshav Puram, Najafgarh, Narela, West and South Zone. Meanwhile, a maximum of 37 GVPs were found in Rohini zone, and 22 in Civil Lines zone.

The plan was to clean them by the first week of August.

However, the deadline was extended on numerous occasions. As of October 24, only 50% of GVPs were cleaned. The deadline was then extended till Diwali. As of January 9, 80% of GVPs were cleaned.

In a statement on Thursday, the Mayor said all GVPs have been cleared. “In the coming one to two years, the sanitation system of Delhi will be better than before,” she said.

During its spot check of the eight sites, The Indian Express found discrepancies between the official version and ground reality — while four sites had been cleared, the remaining four sported heaps of garbage.

1. Munirka Sector 1, near flat no 511

The garbage at the site had been lifted and the locality was clean. “There are no issues with this locality except for the lack of car parking space,” Suniel Chaudhary, a resident of DDA Flats in Munirka, said.

2. Vasant Kunj, near the transformer, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg

When The Indian Express visited the spot, no garbage was found here either. However, the RWA complained of a lack of dhalos in the area due to which the garbage keeps getting accumulated. “The MCD comes and cleans the area every morning, however, garbage accumulates throughout the day; Sector C8 is in particularly bad condition,” said Savita Soni from the Vasant Kunj RWA.

3. RK Puram, near a Pink Toilet

A point outside the toilet near Sangam Cinema, which saw small piles of garbage, had been identified as a GVP by the MCD. During the spot check, a few used disposable glasses and bits of paper were seen in front of the toilet complex but no big heaps of garbage was spotted.

Incidentally, only 10 GVPs were officially recognised in South Delhi. When The Indian Express spoke to locals, they complained that small uncovered heaps of garbage were dumped on the road next to Apeejay International School and Sant Nirankari Public School in Panchsheel Park and that it has been unaddressed for the last few months. A spot check revealed used diapers, sanitary napkins, and discarded toilet seats in the garbage.

4. Jahangirpuri, near MCD primary school, EE block

On a vacant plot near the MCD school, close to a fish market and adjoining an area under Metro construction, a mini-dumping yard had sprung up with polythene bags strewn across. Local fishermen alleged that trucks from a contracted garbage collection agency were responsible for the continuous dumping. “No initiative to clean the area has taken place,” alleged Hanslal, a fisherman.

5. Malkaganj, Anar Wali Kothi

At the meat market near Malkaganj Chowk, a GVP was identified opposite the popular Anar Kothi. Despite efforts to regularly clean the area, garbage accumulation remains a persistent issue.

Some residents said the lack of door-to-door garbage collection in nearby areas contributed to the problem. “Residents dispose of their waste in the area due to the lack of door-to-door waste collection. The market faces challenges in managing waste effectively, as there is a need for larger dumpsters, which are currently unavailable. Additionally, waste collection trucks visit the area only once or twice a month,” claimed Vinay Pathal, a resident.

6. Mukherjee Nagar Mohalla Clinic

At a GVP opposite Mukherjee Nagar’s mohalla clinic, garbage was found floating in a ditch dug up nearly a year ago for road construction. Residents pointed out that the work was left incomplete, leaving behind ditches filled with water and garbage.

According to Prakash Kumar, a resident, water accumulation in the ditch has led to unsanitary conditions. Moreover, the incomplete construction and garbage accumulation have reduced the size of the road, causing difficulties for larger vehicles entering the colony, residents complained.

7. Hanuman Mandir, Chandni Chowk

Garbage has been cleaned around the temple. The area is also undergoing a special cleaning drive in preparation for Republic Day celebrations. Municipal staff deputed on site said the area is being cleaned and curbstones being repainted.

8. Jama Masjid, gate 12

Here, the area adjoining the gate had small piles of garbage.

According to Ali Kasim, who sets up his stall near gate 12, sanitation staff cleans the area daily. However, he complained that the garbage is left in heaps at the side of the roads, as daily collection does not take place. The masjid’s gate number 12 was where the garbage was collected after sweeping, he said.

Official speak

When asked why some spots were not clean, officials in the MCD pointed to a lack of resources due to the non-formation of the standing committee which has made achieving cleanliness initiatives harder.

However, officials also said non-corporation by people was leading to problems. “Many areas lack sanitation staff and garbage production is sometimes very high; this often leads to accumulation of waste. But cleanliness campaigns also require massive public support… we are making humongous efforts to eliminate GVPs and we will be able to reach the 100% target if the public consciously helps in keeping the city clean,” a senior MCD official said.

The Mayor’s office did not respond to queries seeking comment.