Behind a brightly painted wall proclaiming 'Rising Rajasthan' on Bhawani Singh Road in Jaipur, a starkly different reality unfolds. Kathputli Nagar, a settlement in the heart of the Pink City, is grappling with severe and persistent sanitation and infrastructure failures, creating dire living conditions for its approximately 600 households.
Open Drains and Overflowing Garbage Pose Health Hazard
The first impression upon entering Kathputli Nagar is one of neglect. Narrow lanes are lined with broken drain covers, from which swarms of flies emerge. The open drains, which lack proper design, are a constant source of anxiety for residents. Babli Devi, a local resident, explained that the drains are situated right outside their homes and overflow during rains, flooding the entire area.
Another resident, Rennu Bhatt, highlighted the community's helplessness, stating that when these drains get clogged, people are forced to clean them themselves as no sanitation worker visits regularly. Residents unanimously pointed out that these open drains are a significant safety hazard, especially for children and the elderly.
The drainage crisis is compounded by a virtually non-existent garbage disposal system. The few community dustbins are perpetually overflowing, with heaps of rubbish littering open spaces. Suresh Kumar, a resident, noted that the bins are insufficient for the colony's waste, and garbage collection trucks are irregular. "When the garbage becomes too much, we often burn it to make space," he admitted. This uncollected waste is seen piled right outside the community toilet blocks, with flies from the garbage easily entering the facilities.
Inadequate and Broken Community Toilets
The state of public sanitation facilities in Kathputli Nagar is particularly alarming. The existing community toilets are not only insufficient for the large population but are also poorly maintained. Khusi Bhatt, a 14-year-old resident, shared that the shortage and poor condition force people, including women, to resort to open defecation, which is especially dangerous at night.
The water supply for these toilets is also erratic. Nanuram Bhatt, 40, revealed that while tankers are supposed to fill the water tanks, this is not done regularly. He added that some bathrooms lack functional taps altogether, rendering them unusable.
Residents Blame Lack of Municipal Oversight
A common grievance among the inhabitants is the privatization of sanitation work in the area. They believe that the situation would improve significantly if the Jaipur Municipal Corporation (JMC) took direct and sustained responsibility for cleanliness and maintenance.
When contacted by journalists, a senior JMC official, speaking on condition of anonymity, offered a contrasting view. The official claimed that sanitation and drainage works are carried out regularly by the concerned departments. However, acknowledging the complaints, the official stated, "We will investigate this matter, and if we find any lapses, we will ensure they are resolved."
For now, the residents of Kathputli Nagar continue to live in the shadow of the 'Rising Rajasthan' slogan, waiting for the promised development and basic civic amenities to reach their doorsteps.
