New system to ensure clean roads in twin cities

HUBLI: For those batting for a strong Lokpal bill to curb the menace of corruption, this move of Hubli Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC) should come as a respite.
Bribing the civic authorities to get their bills cleared without carrying out their duties properly will no more be an easy task for the cleaning contractors of twin cities. A new system in place called Point Book system will make it mandatory for the cleaning contractors to get clearance from the residents approving their work to see their bills passed.
This follows mounting complaints from citizens about unswept streets and stinking gutters. Just like police constables on night beat sign the registers kept at strategic locations, the cleaning contractors have to get the signatures of residents approving their work. The brain behind the idea is none other than the HDMC commissioner K V Trilokchandra, who is a former IPS officer.
Houses at strategic locations have been identified as points in each ward by the civic authority. The points are generally located at both the corners and in the middle of the road. Once the cleaning workers finish their work of sweeping or clearing gutters, they will call the concerned resident for inspection who will sign the book only if he/she is satisfied by the work. The contractors have to attach the report of residents verifying their works at the time of submitting the bills to the corporation to get it passed.
HDMC officials say the idea which was introduced on trial and error basis in some wards has clicked. The number of complaints with regard to cleaning of streets and gutters has come down since the system came in place a fortnight ago. Hence it has been planned to extend it to the entire 67 wards of twin cities.
HDMC special officer S H Naregal said that in the absence of such a system the cleaning workers used to carryout their works properly only at main roads and where the residents are strict. But they used to neglect the interiors. He said that by empowering citizens, the HDMC has left no room for the health inspectors to take their job lightly.