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Time of India
4 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Himanta lauds GMC for Swachh Sarvekshan feat
Guwahati: Assam chief minister on Saturday lauded Guwahati Municipal Corporation's (GMC) efforts behind the city's gradual upscale in the cleanliness category in Swachh Sarvekshan 2024-25. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The award was presented on Thursday at a national ceremony held in New Delhi, and was received by GMC mayor Mrigen Sarania, in the presence of senior dignitaries and representatives from urban local bodies across the country. Securing the 44th rank in the nationwide competition, conducted by the ministry of housing and urban affairs, was a significant jump from last year's 402 nd position. The city also earned certifications for 'ODF+' (open defecation free plus) and GFC (garbage free city) one star status, for which the CM lauded the officials, sanitation workers and citizens for their collective efforts in promoting urban hygiene. "Guwahati's progress, under the Swachh Bharat Mission reflects Assam's broader development vision, driven by inclusion and people centric governance," Sarma said. Newly appointed GMC commissioner MS Lakshmi Priya, who along with Jayanta Mallabaruah and the entire team, apprising the CM about the city's national achievement, expressed gratitude for the continued guidance and support of state govt. She said that the recognition is a result of coordinated action, public participation, and the tireless commitment of workforce.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Assam capital cleanest in NE with 100% door-to-door waste collection
Guwahati: Assam's capital stood as the cleanest capital city in the northeast with 100% door-to-door garbage collection, 41% segregation at source, and 81% treatment of the same. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The city received a one-star rating in the 'Garbage Free City' category and 'ODF+' (Open Defecation Free) certification, as per the report of the Swachh Survekshan 2024-25. The city made significant strides in cleanliness and waste management, earning it this prestigious distinction. Sharing this information about Guwahati's success, CM Himanta Biswa Sarma wrote on 'X': "Dedicated action, visible transformation!" He said from being the dirtiest to being the cleanest capital city, Guwahati took a huge leap forward in the Swachh Survekshan 2024-25 rankings. "From bottom to top, Assam's cleanliness efforts make an impact," he added. Meanwhile, Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) mayor Mrigen Sarania said the achievement in the Swachh Survekshan is a true reflection of the collective hard work, commitment, and community spirit of the people of Guwahati. "The ODF+ certification and Garbage Free City One Star rating have validated our sustained efforts towards sanitation and urban cleanliness," he added. Expressing his gratitude to the citizens of Guwahati for their active participation and feedback, Sarania said, "Your involvement has been instrumental in this achievement. I also thank the central govt and the ministry of housing and urban affairs for recognising the progress made by Assam and Guwahati under the Swachh Bharat Mission." He added that the civic body would put in all efforts to ensure that the rank of the capital city improves further in the future. No other capital city in the northeast has achieved 100% door-to-door garbage collection.
Time of India
26-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
Visitors leave, trash remains on roads
1 2 3 4 5 6 Guwahati: Piles of food waste, used plastic and thermocol plates left by devotees have created an unsanitary situation in several areas, including Bhootnath temple, Pandu, following the conclusion of the Ambubachi Mahayog at Kamakhya temple on Thursday. The accumulated garbage, primarily generated after devotees consumed meals from community kitchens, has begun emitting foul odors and poses health concerns for residents and pilgrims in the area. "Workers of GMC did not come to collect garbage today. Maybe GMC workers are more focused on cleaning the area near the temple but over a thousand devotees stayed near the Bhootnath temple and they ate from the community kitchens operating in the area and the smell from accumulated food waste is becoming unbearable," a shop owner said. Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) mayor Mrigen Sarania said, "The GMC has been working tirelessly throughout the Ambubachi Mahayog to maintain cleanliness and sanitation. Our workers are working round the clock, but the sheer volume of devotees created unprecedented challenges. Our teams are now working to address any remaining cleanup requirements systematically." "GMC will continue this cleanup process till June 28 to keep our city clean and sanitised after the Ambubachi, many devotees are still present in the city and they have meals from various community kitchens due to which food waste gets accumulated quickly even after cleaning the areas continuously," added Sarania. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 2025 Top Trending local enterprise accounting software [Click Here] Esseps Learn More Undo A local resident of Kamakhya gate, Jyotiprakash Pathak expressed, "This year situation is better, areas near the Kamakhya temple is being regularly cleaned by the GMC workers, earlier after the conclusion of Ambubachi Mela the whole area used to be dirty, with garbage and devotees' footwears lying around here and there, but now the situation has improved." Pathak added, "The area near the Boothnath temple needs serious attention from the GMC, as the area started emitting foul smell from leftover food that the devotees had from the community kitchens." Many NGOs and social organisations also organised cleanliness drives to keep the areas near the Kamakhya temple and camps for devotees clean amid the Ambubachi Mahayog. Two such organisations are 'Voice of Environment' (VoE) and Gauhati University unit's National Service Scheme (NSS) volunteers. According to a senior member of VoE, Moharana Choudhury, they organised a cleanliness drive at the Kamakhya station camp in effort to keep the area clean. Mangal Seal, a NSS volunteer stated that they ran a cleanliness drive at the end of the day after serving refreshments to the devotees.
Time of India
16-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
Irregular waste collection irks locals in Guwahati
1 2 3 Guwahati: Several areas across the city are facing inconvenience due to irregular door-to-door garbage collection by the Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC). The situation has become particularly bad in areas like Silpukhuri and Geetanagar, where people are struggling with unreliable waste collection. In Silpukhuri, locals expressed frustration over the irregular waste collection and unreliable service. Many claim workers prioritise large apartment buildings while neglecting individual houses. "The workers only visit big apartment complexes and ignore homes like ours. We pay the same taxes but don't get the same service. It's unfair," said Nayan Das, a resident of Karnachal Road in Silpukhuri. Responding to the complaints, GMC mayor Mrigen Sarania assured residents that corrective measures would be taken. "We take these issues seriously and have already warned NGOs handling waste collection to ensure equal and regular service for all households," he said. According to Sarania, due to recent Eid holidays and ongoing document verification for the Assam govt's movement against illegal immigrants from Bangladesh, there is a shortage of workers, as many of them travelled to their native villages, but soon everything will run smoothly as earlier. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Irish homeowners eligible for solar 'bonus' if they live in these eircodes Activ8 Learn More Undo GMC's public grievance officer Puthem Rajesh Singh said, "Our door-to-door garbage collection is done regularly, and it has become more efficient that earlier. In case of any inconvenience, residents can reach out to our helpline number (8811007000)," Singh said. In Geetanagar, residents raised concerns about garbage trucks skipping houses on sloped roads. "Collection vehicles only stop at houses near the main road, ignoring homes on inclined paths," said Dishanta Adhikari, a local resident. Adhikari added that multiple complaints had been submitted to the councillor, but no resolution had been provided. Ward 52 councillor Gokul Goswami acknowledged the issue and proposed a long-term solution. "GMC garbage trucks struggle to access uphill residences. To address this, we plan to build concrete dumping pits in hilly areas, where waste will be collected regularly," he said. "I have already discussed the construction of dumping pits with many local residents, and a few had agreed with the proposal," Goswami added.
Time of India
07-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
Guwahati civic body to inspect buildings for rainwater harvesting standards
GUWAHATI : In response to city's escalating flood crisis, the Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) will begin random inspections across city buildings from this month to ensure compliance with rainwater conservation, groundwater recharge, and green preservation measures. The order, issued by the GMC commissioner under the department of housing and urban affairs, stated that all commercial, residential, educational, and industrial buildings should install and maintain rainwater harvesting systems and designated green spaces. This enforcement is backed by the Guwahati Building Construction (Regulations) Bylaws, 2014, and the Assam Unified Building Construction (Regulation) Bylaws, 2022. "Buildings cover the land, preventing rainwater from naturally soaking into the ground. Instead, excess runoff enters drains or low-lying areas, heightening flood risks. A proper rainwater harvesting system allows water to percolate into the ground, replenishing groundwater while minimising runoff," Suhel Yasir, assistant commissioner of GMC, said. Authorities have observed that rainwater harvesting structures and groundwater recharge pits are often poorly constructed or neglected. Green spaces, mandated by law, are frequently repurposed for unauthorized use, contradicting approved building plans. According to regulations, at least 20% of land must be allocated for tree planting and greenery, with allowances for reduction in housing projects where a minimum of 25% of the floor area ratio is designated for affordable housing. Based on the civic body's observance, rainwater harvesting structures, and percolation pits for ground water recharge are not properly constructed or maintained. Even mandatory green spaces are neglected or repurposed for unauthorised uses, which are contradictory to the approved building plan. "As per section 111 of the Guwahati Bylaws 2014, and section 111 and 114 of the Assam Unified Building Construction Bylaws, 2022, at least 20% of the land shall be utilised for tree plantation and greenery. This may be reduced to 10% only for housing projects where a minimum of 25% of floor area ratio is allocated for affordable housing," the directive states. The directive also stated that inspections and enforcement measures aim to enhance urban resilience, mitigate water crises, and promote environmental sustainability. Non-compliance could result in penalties such as occupancy certificate revocation, property sealing, and legal action under the Guwahati Municipal Corporation Act, 2017. While rainwater harvesting is mandatory for all individuals, GMC mayor Mrigen Sarania said the civic body would install these systems free of cost in all govt schools and economically weaker households.
