Kolkata: A citizens’ plogging drive around Elliot Park on Sunday led to the collection of nearly 500kg of waste, exposing the scale of littering in one of central Kolkata’s most frequented public zones.More than 45 volunteers joined the clean-up, organised by CleanUp Kolkata, a citizens’ volunteer group that mobilises residents through social media. Over several hours, participants picked up heaps of thermocol boxes, wired cables, discarded clothes, plastic and more than 100 liquor bottles from the stretch around the park and towards Maidan Metro station. The waste filled 130 large garbage bags.CleanUp Kolkata founder Sachin Bhagat said the response from volunteers was encouraging, but the volume of garbage left behind was worrying. “We’re so proud of this team who take time out of their busy schedules and come every Sunday to clean the city. But at the same time, I’m very disheartened knowing that the work we did today was just 5-10%, and that place is still full of trash,” he said. The group said the Elliot Park drive would continue for at least three to four more weekends because large portions of the area remain littered. Volunteers said the spot had become a dumping ground despite its proximity to a park, open spaces and a busy metro station.CleanUp Kolkata secretary Farha Parveen said the group had been receiving repeated messages about filth accumulating between Elliot Park and Maidan metro station. “Around 45 citizen volunteers joined in the initiative,” she said.The Sunday drive was part of a series of citizen-led clean-ups undertaken by the group across Kolkata. Earlier, CleanUp Kolkata volunteers had conducted similar drives at Ahiritola ghat, Sovabazar ghat, Mullick ghat, Motijheel Bridge, Rabindra Sarobar and Subhas Sarobar.Bhagat said Subhas Sarobar, too, would require sustained cleaning efforts but stressed that clean-up drives alone cannot solve the problem unless people stop littering public places and municipal waste systems keep pace. Volunteers plan to return next Sunday with gloves, sacks and renewed determination.
About The Author
