Bhopal Cleanliness Drive Exposes Ground Reality As Safai Mitras Flag Lack Of Safety Gear

On Gandhi Jayanti, the Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) organized a city-wide cleanliness drive, Seva Sankalp 2026, holding simultaneous cleaning activities at ten locations. Prominent figures such as Mayor Malti Rai, BMC chairman Kishan Suryvanshi, MLAs, corporators, senior officials, and BMC employees participated in the campaign, wearing prescribed uniforms.

Commissioner Sanskriti Jain also visited Safai Mitras at Kilol Park. Cleanliness programs were held across all 21 zones, with special focus on ten key locations. Approximately 50 municipal employees per location were deployed, and residents were invited to participate through shramdaan. The cleaning duration was extended by an additional hour.

However, the campaign exposed the ground reality faced by Safai Mitras, who endure challenging working conditions. Many Safai Mitras shared their difficulties with Free Press, highlighting the adverse effects of heavy dust while sweeping roads. Most of the city's major roads are impacted by Metro construction, and several inner streets are under AMRUT 2.0 works.

Workers in these areas complained about insufficient protection against dust, indicating that nearly 90% of Safai Mitras lack essential protective gear like gloves, masks, and safety boots. In Vaishali Nagar, some employees even brought their two-year-old children along while working, exposing them to dust as well. To cope with the dust, workers in the area cover their faces with scarves during their cleaning duties.