For the last few years, a large-scale campaign regarding cleanliness is being run in the country. But not much success has been achieved in this matter. Even in Assam, despite continuous campaigns regarding cleanliness, the situation has not improved much. After the experiment of installing mirrors to stop people from urinating in public places in the state failed, a municipal body has now started showing videos of such people on huge LED screens.
Regarding this unique initiative, Tinsukia Municipal Board said that this step has been taken after receiving complaints of people urinating in the open at busy places despite repeated awareness campaigns and public appeals. Nayan Jyoti Nath, executive officer of the municipality, told news agency PTI, “Despite repeatedly running awareness campaigns and making public appeals, the municipal board is continuously grappling with the problem of people urinating in the open.”
Mirrors were installed after receiving complaint
Nayan Jyoti Nath said that complaints were being received continuously from the local people regarding open urination on AT Road, Lal Bangla Road, around schools and other public places. After receiving complaints, about a month ago the Municipal Board had installed big mirrors at such places where more such complaints were received.
Nath said, “The idea behind placing the mirror was that people would feel uncomfortable seeing their faces and would avoid doing such acts. However, this experiment failed to give the expected results, after which the board had to take such strict steps.”
Now making video and showing it on screen
He said that after the initiative to install mirrors failed, the municipal team started recording videos and taking photographs of people found urinating in public places.
He said that these videos are being used as evidence for action as well as being shown on LED screens outside the municipal office as part of an awareness campaign.
Regarding the objective of maintaining cleanliness of public places and surrounding areas, the executive officer of the municipality said that the objective of the campaign is not only to impose fine on people, but also to bring permanent change in public behavior and promote cleanliness in the entire city.
“Those who repeatedly break the rules are also being fined as per applicable rules of the municipality. Adequate number of public toilets are available in the municipal area,” he said. To keep the city clean, he appealed to the people to use these toilets as much as possible.
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