Eid Over, garbage remains: Walled City’s cleanliness drives face reality check

Jaipur: In April and May, Jaipur Municipal Corporation launched a series of cleanliness campaigns, including ‘Safayi Marathon’, ‘Rang De Gulabi’ and ‘Operation Clean Sweep’, aimed at sprucing up the city and improving its standing in Swachh Survekshan 2025. While the drives brought visible changes to several areas, residents of the Walled City say the real test began after the campaigns ended, and many areas are already struggling with recurring sanitation problems.

Nowhere is that more evident than in Kumharo Ki Nadi in Ramchandra Ji Ki Chowkdi, where residents claim heaps of garbage have remained uncleared for days despite Eid being celebrated on a large scale in the area. Light showers over the past two days have only added to their woes, leaving stagnant water and rotting waste in narrow lanes.

Farid Khan, a local resident, said irregular waste collection remains the biggest concern. “The hopper rarely comes to our locality. Even when it does, workers collect household waste and leave behind the open garbage dumps. There was no cleaning even during Eid. After the recent rain, the stench has become unbearable and insects have started appearing. If this is the situation before the monsoon, we can only imagine what lies ahead,” he said.

Residents say overflowing drains and waterlogging have become routine, making it difficult for pedestrians to move around and causing water to enter nearby shops.

Another resident, Nadeera Khan, questioned the lack of regular sanitation despite user charges being collected from households. “We pay for waste collection, but garbage is not lifted regularly. There are children living here. If someone falls ill because of these unhygienic conditions, who will be held responsible?” she asked.

Residents alleged that repeated complaints have yielded little action. With the monsoon approaching, many fear the sanitation situation could deteriorate further.

Former councillor Mohammad Zakariya claimed that in some parts of the locality, garbage remained unattended for as long as 15 to 20 days. “We have shared photographs with municipal officials, including the commissioner and zone DC. Several areas were either left out or only partially covered during the cleanliness drives, and the impact is now visible on the ground,” he said.

The situation has once again highlighted a challenge often faced by civic bodies, maintaining cleanliness after special drives conclude. Residents say sustained waste collection and regular sanitation services, rather than short-term campaigns, will determine whether the gains made during April and May can be preserved.

Attempts to contact Kishanpole Zone deputy commissioner Bijendra Singh for comment were unsuccessful.