Mangaluru: A drainage cleaning drive by the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) near Sharada Vidyalaya in Kodialbail has triggered complaints from residents and local businesses, with extracted silt and garbage left unattended along the roadside for several days.
The debris, which was supposed to be removed after the drains were cleaned, has reportedly become a dumping spot for passersby and students, who continue to discard plastic bottles, snack wrappers and other waste at the location.
The accumulated waste near an electric pole and at street corners opposite Sharada Vidyalaya has caused inconvenience to people in the area and raised concerns over the handling of waste generated during civic cleaning operations.
Residents and shopkeepers have urged the civic body to clear the debris promptly and ensure that roadside areas are not left littered after drainage maintenance work.
Drain cleaning followed by roadside garbage accumulation
According to local shopkeepers, the drainage cleaning work was carried out about a week ago. However, the silt and waste extracted from the drains were left along the roadside instead of being transported for proper disposal.
With the debris remaining at the site, the location has gradually turned into an informal dumping point. Plastic bottles, food wrappers and other discarded materials have reportedly been added to the existing heap.
A local shop owner said the problem began after the cleaning work was completed but the debris was not removed.
“They cleaned it about a week ago. But they left the extracted silt and garbage right on the roadside, and now people and students casually throw plastic bottles and snack packets there, turning it into a dumpyard,” she said.
The situation has left nearby businesses and pedestrians dealing with an untidy roadside environment. Shopkeepers fear that unless the accumulated material is removed, more people may continue to treat the spot as a convenient place to discard waste.
Littering continues despite fines
A staff member at a cafe in Kodialbail said the dumping had continued despite the civic body’s efforts to penalise people for littering.
The staff member alleged that the debris left behind after drainage cleaning had encouraged further dumping, with individuals adding plastic and waste packets to the existing pile.
“This dumping has been happening continuously because the cleaning debris was left behind. Even though the municipality fined people up to Rs 2,000 yesterday for littering, individuals keep adding more plastic and waste packets to the existing pile,” the staff member said.
The incident highlights the challenges faced by civic authorities in maintaining cleanliness when waste generated during public works is not cleared immediately.
While penalties may discourage littering, residents say enforcement alone may not be sufficient if existing heaps of debris remain unattended in public spaces. Leaving extracted silt and garbage on the roadside can make the area appear to be an accepted dumping point, potentially attracting more waste.
MCC supervisor acknowledges debris was left behind
Pradeep, waste management supervisor at the MCC, acknowledged that the drains had been cleaned but the extracted silt and garbage were left on the roadside by the cleaning crew.
According to him, the drainage cleaning had taken place three days earlier. The failure to remove the debris subsequently prompted people to dump additional waste on the existing heaps.
The acknowledgement points to a gap between the completion of drainage cleaning and the subsequent removal of the material extracted from the drains.
Drain maintenance is intended to improve the functioning of the city’s drainage network and prevent blockages. However, when silt and waste are left on roads after such work, the immediate surroundings can become untidy and create additional sanitation concerns.
Residents and business owners have called for better coordination between drainage cleaning teams and waste collection personnel so that extracted material is removed promptly.
MCC promises immediate action
Responding to the complaints, Deepti N, assistant executive environmental engineer at the MCC, assured residents that the matter would be examined immediately.
“I will check this immediately and direct the concerned health inspector to visit the location, inspect the site, and ensure the accumulated waste is cleared promptly,” she said.
The assurance has raised expectations among residents and shopkeepers that the roadside debris will be cleared and the location restored to a cleaner condition.
A site inspection by the concerned health inspector is expected to help establish the extent of the accumulation and facilitate action to remove the waste. However, the MCC’s response will need to be followed by timely clearance to address the immediate inconvenience reported by the public.
Residents seek better waste management after civic works
The issue near Sharada Vidyalaya has renewed calls for the MCC to ensure that drainage cleaning operations include the complete removal and proper disposal of extracted silt and garbage.
Residents and shopkeepers expect the civic body to clear the existing heap and prevent similar situations during future cleaning drives. They have also stressed the need for people to avoid littering public spaces, regardless of whether waste has already accumulated at a location.
The incident illustrates how incomplete disposal after routine civic maintenance can undermine cleanliness efforts. Prompt removal of debris, regular monitoring of vulnerable spots and responsible public behaviour will be important to prevent the roadside near Sharada Vidyalaya from becoming a persistent dumping point.