Waste Woes Battle Half-Won

Launched with much promise, Delhi's 'Freedom from Garbage' campaign seeks to tackle the trash well, but mixed responses highlight the uphill struggle in achieving lasting cleanliness

- Anup Verma

Delhi's 'Freedom from Garbage' campaign, launched by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, has evoked a mixed response. Many believe it has helped clean the city, with tonnes of garbage removed from various areas. However, others feel it has yet to make a noticeable difference.

Launched on August 1st, with a deadline of August 31st, the drive aimed to transform Delhi into a cleaner, garbage-free city. Due to limited visible improvements, the city government extended it to October 2nd. Municipal bodies stated the extension was to intensify efforts and ensure wider public participation. Critics, however, argue the decision reflects the campaign's underwhelming performance. A local civic activist stated that if the initiative had shown solid progress, an extension wouldn't have been needed.

Despite government claims of regular cleaning drives, garbage remains near residential colonies, markets, and public spaces, raising questions about implementation and oversight. Municipal officials say it's a work in progress, requiring more time to address longstanding waste disposal issues in a city as large and complex as Delhi. With a month remaining, attention is on whether renewed efforts will bring about the intended transformation or if it will be another unfulfilled promise.

August Pledge
In an inspiring effort to mark Independence Day month, the CM launched a citywide campaign, "Delhi's Freedom from Garbage" or "Delhi Ko Koode Se Azaadi", running from August 1st to 31st. The month-long drive aimed to make every part of the capital clean and garbage-free. The CM stated in a high-level review meeting that Delhi would achieve freedom from garbage—a symbolic tie-in to India's independence spirit.

Key Features of the Campaign