MYSURU: The Mother Teresa Road in front of the Mysuru KSRTC suburban bus stand has been a persistent nuisance spot for public urination over the past 30 years. In a decisive overnight move, the Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) installed mirror-like stainless steel sheets at the chronic spot, which had long reeked of urine.
Immediate Impact
Within 24 hours of installation, officials reported a 90% drop in people using the area to relieve themselves. This last-ditch effort came after several 'clean city' campaigns failed to yield results. The 10-foot open drain along the road had become an eyesore and a hygiene concern, despite earlier attempts to install railings. Worse, the drain turned into a dumping ground.
Psychological Deterrent
The initiative involved installing 85-meter-long, 5-foot-high reflective panels. Mohammed Mustafa, assistant executive engineer of the UGD section at MCC, explained that the reflective surface acts as a psychological deterrent, making people uncomfortable urinating in front of what looks like a mirror. The response has been positive, and the spot now presents a much better appearance.
The MCC spent Rs 9 lakh on the project, including fabrication, installation of stainless steel plates, footpath work, and related civil works. Officials consider the intervention cost-effective. The transformation has drawn appreciation from citizens and social media users.
Broader Implications
The idea is expected to be discussed at the next Swachh Bharat meeting as part of a broader effort to eliminate similar nuisance points across Mysuru. The Mysuru initiative echoes a similar experiment carried out in Bengaluru on Church Street in 2020.
