App soon with geo-tag tech for quick garbage clean-up

Kolkata: Urban development and municipal affairs minister Agnimitra Paul on Thursday declared a "war against delay in garbage disposal" with the help of a geo-tagging initiative designed to eliminate the piles of refuse that have been plaguing cities like Kolkata and Asansol for over a decade. The govt is set to launch a dedicated mobile application that empowers citizens to become the eyes and ears of the administration. Under this system, citizens can snap photos of accumulated waste and upload them on the app. Using geo-tagging technology, the precise location will be instantly sent to municipal teams. Paul issued a stern ultimatum: Clean-up crews must clear the waste within one-two hours of the report. "For 15 years, we have been seeing garbage lying across Bengal. Now, we are handing the responsibility to the public. However, prevention is better than cure. While cleaning is our duty, I appeal to the citizens to not throw garbage on the roads. We must remain conscious of our surroundings," Paul said. Paul also announced the launch of a helpline number that will provide an immediate safety net to women and children. The helpline may be used to report grievances or seek emergency assistance directly. The administration envisions this as a pivotal tool for ensuring swift intervention in cases of harassment or distress.