Gurgaon: Last month, chief principal secretary to the chief minister Rajesh Khullar directed the launch of the challenge to improve roads and civic amenities across the city. The 30-day challenge to clean up the city ended on Nov 7. Within days, the garbage was back. Piles of waste have been visible near Iffco Chowk, one of the city’s busiest junctions, for the past couple of days. “It feels like actions are only for drives,” RWA president of Essel Towers Rajiv Sinha told TOI.Besides road repairs, the drive was meant to free public spaces of encroachments and garbage. The visible results did not last. With the deadline gone, the areas near the junction — on Delhi-Gurgaon Expressway — littered again, a sight familiar to those, who use this stretch every day. This raises the question of whether the clean-up was built to last or only to paint a rosy picture while the campaign lasted.Narayana Agrawal, a resident of Sector 17C, said earlier construction and demolition (C&D) waste was dumped in the area and now garbage is being dumped there too. “It is sad to see such a state of affairs in the city. Garbage is being dumped on the main highway and everyone is noticing it, but it fails to get the attention of civic authorities,” he said.National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), which looks after the stretch, has pointed the finger at MCG. According to NHAI, MCG’s garbage-carrying trucks are illegally dumping waste here at night and leaving immediately, taking advantage of the darkness and the festival period. NHAI said it is coordinating with the CCTV control room to identify the vehicles involved. However, it has not said how many vehicles were involved or when action can be expected. “We are trying to identify the vehicles involved and will take strict action. As of now, we have not started imposing penalties, but will soon. We will also take up the matter with MCG,” an NHAI official said.This comes against the backdrop of an earlier move by MCG. Earlier this month, the civic body asked NHAI to take responsibility for maintaining the Delhi-Gurgaon Expressway, including regular cleaning, upkeep of greenery and prevention of illegal C&D waste dumping along the stretch. Asked about the dumping, a senior MCG official said only, “We will take necessary action.”The residents said that drives like this one often produce quick results by mobilising staff and equipment for a deadline to meet, but do not sustain afterwards. “When you drive through the stretch, you cannot roll down the window as the area stinks. What matters is the routine exercise followed afterwards, including regular lifting of waste, monitoring and penalties for violations. There is a need for sustained efforts to improve the condition of city,” RWA president of Essel Towers Sinha added.
