Sanitation complaints flood MCD helpline

Dumping of construction waste and sanitation, topped residents' civic woes in the Capital. Within a fortnight of the citizens' helpline, launched by the North Corporation, a total of 496 complaints were received of which 311 accounted for grievances related to these issues.

The helpline, which was launched for quick redressal of civic issues was flooded with complaints of open defecation and dumping of debris. This was followed by unkept parks, lack of facilities at primary health centres and encroachment of footpaths.

"It was surprising to see the helpline getting almost every second call either about sanitation or dumping of debris from different neighbourhoods of the city. We have assigned the complaints to the departments concerned. The heads of departments will have to ensure each complaint is looked into," said a senior official.

According to the data, of the 496 complaints, 57 are pending.

"Some complaints regarding the health centres and encroachment are pending, as these have to be taken up with the respective institutions and other government agencies. We have asked the officers to expedite the process," he said.

According to officials, the move had come from the BJP high command to make a mechanism for addressing civic issues after the corporations secured a dismal ranking in the recent Swachh Bharat Survey ranking 2017.

The helpline number has a common control room, while for each of the wards calls are directly connected to councillors. The North Corporation mayor, Preeti Agarwal, who had launched the initiative, too addresses grievances on select days.

Corporation officials, said, the data of the nature and number of calls received will help them in policy-making. "It will help us in framing policies for greater public convenience," the official said.