Expats and local residents of Gurugram join citizen-led cleanliness drive on Sunday. It shows a strong sense of community. They began with the area around the Guru Dronacharya Metro Station. This location, previously filled with piles of garbage, was cleaned by volunteers who wanted to promote the message of maintaining a clean city.
Garbage collection fall to 59% raise concerns in Gurugram
Gurugram is among India’s fastest-growing cities and generates thousands of tonnes of waste each day. Much of it ends up littering streets, vacant lots, and storm drains, which creates an eyesore and poses health risks. Official data shows that door-to-door waste collection dropped from 85% to 59% in the past year. The rate of waste segregation at the source fell from 15% to 10%.
Given this situation, residents chose to take action instead of waiting for the municipal authorities. Garbage Free India, an NGO that collaborates with schools and housing communities on waste management and segregation, supported the effort. Volunteers, including expatriates from Serbia and France, worked with local residents to pick up trash, wear gloves, and encourage others to act responsibly.
Expats and locals join cleanliness drive
Mathilde R, a French resident of Garden Estate, emphasized the need for ongoing commitment. “It’s not just about one day of cleaning. It’s about creating a culture of responsibility where every resident, whether local or expat, know that the streets are shared spaces. You wouldn’t throw garbage in your living room; the city should be treated the same way,” she noted.
Lazar Jankovic, a Serbian expatriate, shared this view, referencing Gandhian principles. “There isn’t much complexity in cleaning. As Mahatma Gandhi said, cleanliness is next to godliness. Just as we keep our homes tidy, we should also keep our neighborhoods clean. I’m not asking everyone to participate in massive clean-up efforts in Gurugram. Just ensuring that the two metres in front of your house or shop are clean is enough. If each person does that, the city will remain clean.”
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