The Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) has achieved remarkable success in maintaining cleanliness at festival venues this year through strategic partnerships and proactive measures. The collaborative effort between municipal authorities and food stall operators has resulted in significantly improved waste management throughout the event period.
Strategic Partnership for Cleaner Festivals
This year marked a significant shift in Panaji's approach to festival cleanliness as CCP officials partnered with the Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG) to address long-standing waste management issues. A CCP official explained that this collaboration was initiated after observing persistent problems during previous city events.
"During festivals or other events in the city, waste wasn't being managed well with mostly vendors leaving garbage unattended," the official stated, highlighting the need for a more systematic approach to cleanliness management.
Vendors Become Active Partners in Cleanliness
The cooperation from food stall operators proved crucial to the success of the cleanliness drive. Radhika Pagi, a street food vendor, shared positive feedback about the public's response to the new system. "The people who bought food from us threw used paper plates into a dustbin," she noted, adding that many customers actively asked about dustbin locations rather than littering.
Another vendor emphasized how the strategic placement of dustbins contributed to the success. "Dustbins kept in front of each food stall helped to maintain cleanliness," he said, noting that this simple measure prevented garbage problems from escalating throughout the festival.
Continuous Cleanup Efforts Yield Results
CCP-deployed employees maintained constant vigilance, working diligently before, during, and after festival hours. Imran Asraf, a juice seller, witnessed the thoroughness of the cleanup crew firsthand. "CCP workers deployed at the venue sweep the place before we open, as well as after we shut for the day," Asraf reported.
The system included regular garbage collection where CCP workers consistently collected bags filled with garbage and replaced them with empty bags, ensuring that waste never accumulated beyond manageable levels. Several vendors supported this effort by keeping garbage bags adjacent to their stalls for efficient waste collection.
The sanitation workers received particular praise for their diligence. "Sanitation workers were diligent and didn't leave a single cup or plate at the event," one vendor acknowledged, emphasizing the team effort that made this year's cleanliness drive exceptionally successful.
