Mangaluru: The Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) which gained much appreciation for coming first in the country in the Swachh Survekshan list on the issue of solid waste management is once again preparing for the Swachh Survekshan competition.

Under the Swachh Bharat Mission of the union’s ministry for Housing and Urban affairs (MoHUA), all the cities and towns of the country are preparing for Swachh Survekshan 2019 and accordingly, MCC too is part of this survey. Therefore, the corporation has already started preparations for this. The MCC is keeping its foot forward with the wish to put Mangaluru on the top position of the list as the cleanest city in the country by competing in the various divisions of the upcoming competition.

Swachh Survekshan-2016 included cities with a population of over 10 lakh people. In 2017, cities with over 1 lakh population of people had been selected. Since 2018, all the cities in the country have been selected for the competition. Since the number of cities involved has increased, the competition too is expected to increase sharply and in this backdrop the corporation officials are working with additional care.

As part of Swachh Survekshan-2019, a team from the centre will carry out surveys at all the cities. Points will be given based on 4 criteria. The total points are 5,000, of which 1250 points are for the direct survey by the central team. 1250 points for the opinion of the public, 1250 points for progress based on service and 1250 points will be given for certification. In 2018, 4000 points were given based on three criteria.

MCC has made a particular system for the collection of wet and dry waste. The public needs to respond to this whole-heartedly. If the public fails to take this seriously, it may cause a hindrance to the cleanliness and waste collection in the city. Hence, the wet and dry waste needs to be given separately to the particular vehicles appointed by the corporation and thereby cooperate in realizing the thought of a clean Mangaluru.

In 2016, the MoHUA released a Swachhta App to handle complaints from the public regarding the management of solid waste and cleanliness. But, since the app failed to garner enough downloads and active users from Mangaluru, it led to MCC losing some points. Hence, the app which is available on android and ios platform needs to be downloaded and through its download and usage, it will assist in gaining points for MCC.

The participation of the public in the Swachh Survekshan-2019 is very essential. Hence the public needs to take part in the survey through the online app by the central ministry for Housing and Urban affairs under its Swachh Bharat Mission. Points are also given based on the participation of the public through the app.

“Preparations have been made to conduct various progammes to achieve the top position this time too in the Swachh Survekshan list. Information has been given to the officials through PPT’s. The people should come together with the corporation,” said K Bhaskar, Mayor.