Within 24 hours of the city Corporation launching a dedicated WhatsApp number for the public to complain about dumping of waste, the number has been flooded with complaints. As per the latest numbers on Wednesday evening, the civic body has received more than 1,000 individual complaints from across the city. According to Corporation officials handling the incoming complaints, a majority of the complaints are from wards from the heart of the city.
“This iPad has not stopped chiming since yesterday. There has been a steady inflow of photographs and messages and we are finding it hard to keep pace. Though most of the complaints are regarding waste dumped near residential areas, some are about blocked drains,” says Anoop Roy, one of those handling the complaints.
Once a complaint is received, it is immediately forwarded to the Health Inspector or Junior Health Inspector of that particular ward. Some of the issues have already been solved, they say. Cases which cannot be rectified without the co-ordination of other departments — like the case of blocked drains which require the help of either the Public Works Department of the Irrigation Department — are forwarded to the Mayor, who will then direct it to the department concerned.
Some of the complaints are regarding the difficulties caused by waste dumped on neighbour’s premises.
“In such cases, we cannot take any action. We can only serve a notice to the owner of the land and later impose a fine, if there is no response,” say the officials.
A person complained that others dump waste on his premises, a case in which the Corporation can take no action. A few complainants sent photographs and vehicle numbers of those dumping waste near their houses. In such cases, the details of the owner will be collected from the Motor Vehicle Department and fine imposed.
“The response from the public has been overwhelming on the first day. We are solving the smaller issues as soon as we can. The larger waste dumps will be cleared from June 5, when we will launch the campaign to clear plastic waste,” says Mayor V.K. Prasanth.
Public can message their complaints regarding waste dumps to the WhatsApp number 7034232323. The civic body has tied up with private telecom service provider Vodafone to provide a platform for the public to air their grievances.
The number does not accept any voice calls. The public can post pictures of waste dumped in public places.
They can also call the landline number 0471-2320821 and 9496434517 to register complaints related to dumping of waste.
Quick action
Complaints on waste dumping may be sent to 7034232323
Complaint is immediately forwarded to ward-level health officials
If help of any department is needed it is forwarded to the Mayor
