In a bold move to transform public hygiene, the Belagavi City Corporation (BCC) has declared a zero-tolerance policy against littering on streets, footpaths, and vacant plots. The civic body has launched a stringent, action-oriented cleanliness campaign, directly inspired by the Bengaluru BBMP model, aiming to instil a lasting sense of civic duty among residents.
Leadership on the Ground: Early Morning Vigilance
What distinguishes this initiative is the hands-on, ground-level leadership demonstrated by the city's elected representatives. For nearly a month, Mayor Mangesh Powar and Deputy Mayor Vani Vilas Joshi have been personally touring the city on two-wheelers in the early hours, under the guidance of MLA Abhay Patil. Braving the winter chill, they dedicate 3 to 4 hours each morning, inspecting neighbourhoods and raising awareness about cleanliness. They are consistently joined by the city corporation commissioner, health department officials, and field staff, lending immense seriousness to the drive.
The Mechanism: Tracing Offenders and Doorstep Penalties
The campaign employs a smart enforcement strategy. Civic officials are empowered to sift through illegally dumped garbage to find identifying documents like electricity bills, water bills, or online delivery receipts. Using these, they trace the offenders directly to their residences to impose fines. This ensures accountability goes beyond public spaces right to the source of the violation.
In a recent action on Monday, beginning at 5:30 AM, the mayor, deputy mayor, commissioner, and teams of ward workers, environmental engineers, and health inspectors conducted inspections in the Shahapur and Khade Bazar areas. At spots notorious for illegal dumping, officials examined garbage bags, traced the responsible individuals, and issued penalty notices at their doorsteps. Those caught dumping waste on the spot were also penalised immediately according to the rules.
A Shift from Warnings to Strict Action
The BCC has made it clear that this drive is about concrete action, not just appeals. The corporation has described indiscriminate dumping as an insult to the city and instructed its health inspectors to act strictly and without leniency. While the campaign began quietly without fanfare, its impact is already being felt across Belagavi.
Authorities have clarified that the primary goal is not merely to collect fines but to foster a permanent change in public behaviour. "For Belagavi to truly become a clean city, it cannot be BCC's responsibility alone. Every citizen must do their part," emphasized Mayor Mangesh Powar and Deputy Mayor Vani Vilas Joshi in a statement. The drive signifies a collaborative effort where civic responsibility and stringent enforcement go hand-in-hand to achieve a cleaner urban environment.
