Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): The saying ‘darkness under the lamp’ fits well with the Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) as it sums up the current state of the civic body. The municipal body responsible for ensuring better civic amenities in the city is itself struggling to maintain basic cleanliness, and upkeep within its own premises
Water leakage and unhygienic conditions inside the BMC offices have raised serious questions about the corporation’s ability to manage its infrastructure. For several days, water has been dripping from the ceiling at the municipal office located at Mata Mandir, with photos near the Corporation Chairman’s cabin going viral.
Adding to the embarrassment, the area near the main office is reportedly filthy. The surroundings of the toilets at the headquarters appear to have not been cleaned for years. Shockingly, even senior corporation officials are working amid the neglect.
The situation is no better across the city. Most municipal toilets in Old Bhopal, including the one near Imami Gate, are in deplorable condition filled with mud and unusable. Residents have been complaining about the poor state of the public toilets but no action has been taken. Sanitation and maintenance at ward offices are also in a dismal state.
Lapses exposed
Around a month ago, the roof of the BMC's ISBT headquarters was also seen leaking. The incident exposed the sorry state of infrastructure and the growing public anger over these conditions.
Oppsition to raise cleanliness issue
LoP in BMC, Shabishta Zaki, along with Congress councilors, has vowed to raise the issue in Thursday's council meeting. They plan to question the civic body over its failure to maintain basic hygiene, particularly in public toilets and official buildings, calling it a reflection of deeper administrative irregularities.
