Mukta Dhara Society Urges SVPMC to Improve Public Dustbins and Waste Management

Mukta Dhara Society has submitted a representation to the Secretary, Sri Vijaya Puram Municipal Council (SVPMC) seeking the installation of additional public dustbins and improvements in sanitation and solid waste management as part of its "Become the Change – Clean Andaman Initiative," being conducted in collaboration with Dweep Tulika News. 

In the representation, the Society stated that interactions with residents across various wards had highlighted concerns regarding the inadequate availability of public dustbins in markets, parks, beaches, bus stops and other high-footfall areas. It also referred to complaints about open garbage collection points, which were said to attract stray animals and contribute to scattered waste, foul odours and unhygienic conditions. 

To address these concerns, Mukta Dhara Society requested the Municipal Council to install covered twin dustbins for wet and dry waste at prominent public locations, replace open community garbage collection points with enclosed or animal-proof systems wherever feasible, ensure timely collection of waste, deploy adequate sanitation staff for regular inspections, strengthen enforcement against littering under the relevant municipal bye-laws, and install awareness signage promoting proper waste disposal and segregation. 

The Society stated that coordinated efforts by government departments, local bodies, civil society organisations and citizens are essential for building a cleaner, healthier and more environmentally conscious Andaman. It also reaffirmed its commitment, along with DT News, to continue supporting public awareness campaigns and community engagement under the initiative. 

Copies of the representation have been forwarded to the Chairperson of the Sri Vijaya Puram Municipal Council, the Public Health Officer, the Assistant Engineer (Solid Waste Management), the Deputy Commissioner of South Andaman, the Member Secretary of the Pollution Control Committee, the concerned Ward Councillors, the Director of Panchayats & Municipal Bodies, and other stakeholders for information and necessary action.