CHENNAI: 916 out of 2000. This is how Chennai, ranked at 235th position among the clean cities in India, fared in the nation-wide competition. Solid waste management and sanitation continue to be the prime problems of the southern metropolis.
Chennai scored 415 out of 900 in part one (data provided by the municipal body), 283 out of 500 (direct observation and independent assessment) and 218 for 600 (direct citizen feedback), according to the survey. The 218 score based on citizens response is an indicator of the lack of confidence and non-satisfaction of the people of Chennai with the Greater Chennai Corporation.
The Swachh Survekshan survey was conducted by the Quality Council of India by evaluating waste collection, sweeping, transportation, disposal of garbage, maintenance and number of public toilets, education and behaviour change and capacity building of the city.
It deployed 421 assessors for on the spot assessment of 17,500 locations in 434 cities and towns. Another 55 people regularly monitored the survey process in real time.
Union urban development minister Venkaiah Naidu stressed that this year’s survey results are citizens’ verdict on cleanliness in urban areas of the country with 37 lakh citizens’ enthusiastically providing feedback on cleanliness in 434 cities and towns accounting for about 60 per cent of the total urban population in the country.
Here in Chennai, it is evident that even the residents are not happy about the cleanliness aspect. According to the survey, out of 5,949 participants, only 49 per cent of the citizens feel their area is not cleaner compared to last year, 59 per cent of them do not have access to litter dustbins and only 25 per cent are satisfied with door to door waste collection.
Only positive that emerged out of the survey is that, compared to last year about 62 per cent of the people feel that the maintenance of public/ community toilets has improved.
As expected, Greater Chennai Corporation officials blamed the poor rankings of the “huge population” of the city. “Tiruchy is ranked better because it has garbage plants and it does not have industries. Whereas in Chennai, the population is very high and the garbage needs to be sent to dump yards which is a long process. Alternatives need to be thought about,” said a Corporation official.
Rank last year: 37
This year: 235
