Belagavi mayor, deputy mayor lead drive against littering

Pic: Mayor Mangesh Powar, deputy mayor Vani Vilas Joshi, along with BCC officials, conducted early morning patrolling in Belagavi city as part of drive against litteringBelagavi: Littering in public spaces will no longer be tolerated in Belagavi. Roads, vacant plots, and footpaths are not dumping grounds, and those found violating the rules will now face penalties—delivered right at their doorstep.In a decisive move, the Belagavi City Corporation has launched a stringent cleanliness drive, adopting the Bengaluru BBMP model. The initiative empowers civic officials to trace offenders through documents found in discarded garbage, such as electricity or water bills and online delivery receipts, and impose fines at their residences.What sets this campaign apart is the hands-on leadership shown by public representatives. For nearly a month, mayor Mangesh Pawar and deputy mayor Vani Vilas Joshi, under the guidance of MLA Abhay Patil, have been touring the city on two-wheelers in the early hours of the day. Braving the winter chill, they spend 3 to 4 hours each morning inspecting streets and creating awareness about cleanliness. They are accompanied by the city corporation commissioner, health department officials, and field staff.The active participation of elected representatives on the ground has lent seriousness to the drive.Fines delivered to offenders' doorstepsOn Monday, beginning at 5.30am, the mayor, deputy mayor, commissioner, ward-level civic workers, environmental engineers, and health inspectors conducted inspections in Shahapur and Khade Bazar areas. At locations noted for illegal dumping, officials examined garbage bags and traced offenders using documents found inside. Penalty notices were then issued directly at the homes of those responsible. Individuals caught dumping waste on the spot were also penalised in accordance with existing rules.Action, not just warningsBCC has appealed to citizens to stop indiscriminate dumping, describing it as an insult to the city. Health inspectors have been instructed to act strictly and without leniency against violators in the days ahead. Though carried out quietly, without publicity, the campaign has already gained traction across the city. Civic authorities clarified that the objective is not merely to collect fines, but to instil a lasting sense of civic responsibility."For Belagavi to truly become a clean city, it cannot be BCC's responsibility alone. Every citizen must do their part," the mayor and deputy mayor said, speaking to the TOI.

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