Public responded well, but civic apathy leaves collected clothes rotting in open
The Nagpur Municipal Corporation’s (NMC) much-publicized ‘Swachh Diwali, Shubh Diwali’ campaign has taken an ironic turn. While citizens enthusiastically participated by donating unused items, the civic body’s negligence has left thousands of collected clothes lying abandoned in public spaces even days after the festival.
At Tulsi Nagar Garden in Shantinagar, heaps of clothes packed in sacks and bundles remain dumped since Diwali. The NMC had set up collection centres across city gardens and public spots to gather discarded yet usable materials. The response was encouraging — 35,293 citizens donated around 48,348 kilograms of items, including 25,946 kilograms of clothes. Each donor received a “Thank You” sticker from the NMC in appreciation.
However, after the campaign ended, officials removed tents and banners but failed to clear the collected material. As a result, the donated clothes were left behind. Some bundles were torn open by passersby, and clothes now lie scattered like garbage.
Friday’s rainfall made matters worse as the piles soaked in water, turning the once-praised cleanliness drive into a picture of civic neglect.
Residents expressed disappointment over the administration’s indifference. “People came forward in good faith, but the NMC’s carelessness has made this noble initiative look like a mockery of cleanliness,” said a local resident.
Citizens have urged the civic body to immediately remove and redistribute or recycle the collected materials, warning that prolonged neglect could lead to sanitation issues in public parks.
The campaign that started with the slogan of “Clean Diwali, Happy Diwali” now stands as an example of how good intentions collapse without follow-up action.
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