Mandi Municipal Corporation Mayor Virendra Sharma leads cleanliness drive to clear Holi litter

Munish Sood
MANDI: The festival of Holi fills the air with colours and joy, but it also leaves behind heaps of waste and litter that tarnish the beauty of our surroundings.

In response to the mess created during Holi celebrations, a special cleanliness drive was conducted by Mandi Municipal Corporation under the ‘Clean City, Prosperous City’ campaign.

Under the leadership of Mandi Mayor Virendra Bhatt Sharma, the campaign focused on cleaning Kangni Road and the nearby forest area, which had turned into a dumping ground for plastic waste, liquor bottles and other garbage.

The waste not only posed a threat to the environment but also endangered the lives of wild animals inhabiting the area.

“Festivals like Holi are meant to spread joy and positivity, but sadly some people misuse these occasions to litter and pollute our surroundings. This not only damages the environment but also reflects poorly on our civic sense,” said Mayor Virendra Bhatt Sharma.

Kangni Road victim of irresponsible behaviour

Kangni Helipad Road, a popular route for morning and evening walkers, was particularly affected by the littering.

Despite being a hub for health-conscious residents, the road was found littered with food wrappers, plastic bags, and alcohol bottles, disrupting the serene environment.

During the drive, volunteers and municipal staff worked tirelessly to collect and dispose of the waste. Some individuals caught littering at the site were made to clean the area on the spot and were warned against repeating such actions in the future.

Call for collective responsibility

Mayor Virendra Bhatt Sharma appealed to the public to celebrate festivals responsibly and avoid polluting public spaces.

“Our goal is not just to clean the city after the damage is done but to create awareness so that people become conscious of their actions. A clean and prosperous city can only be achieved when citizens actively participate in maintaining cleanliness,” he added.

The drive witnessed active participation from local councillors, including Rajendra Mohan, Hardeep Singh and Krishna Bhanu, along with environmental enthusiast Krishna Chand and municipal officials.