Changanassery: A video by German travel vlogger Alexander Welder documenting his visit to Kerala has cast an unflattering light on Changanassery.
The footage shows garbage piled up at the KSRTC bus stand and captures his struggle to find a bus to Munnar. Many Malayalis have flooded the comment section with apologies to the vlogger, who has over 100,000 followers on Instagram.

The only consolation is that Alexander does not directly criticise Changanassery in his video. However, the comment section is filled with criticism directed at the Changanassery municipality for allowing the town to be portrayed negatively before a foreign visitor. The garbage problem and the KSRTC staff’s inability to assist him are also being widely discussed.

Many Malayalis seem to have taken the issue as a reflection on the state as a whole. Comments include: “Listen Malayalis, the whole world saw you dumping waste,” “The world witnessed Kerala’s cleanliness and hygiene,” “Changanassery municipality better do something,” and “The situation is similar in other municipalities too.”

The video has so far garnered over 700,000 views and is among the most-watched clips on Alexander’s Instagram account.

In the video, Alexander is seen arriving at the Changanassery bus stand in search of a bus to Munnar. Garbage is visible along MC Road, and he does not receive a satisfactory response at the enquiry counter. He is shown asking several people at the bus shelter for help, confused by the KSRTC name boards displayed only in Malayalam. Eventually, a local guides him to the correct bus. Upon boarding, Alexander praises the people of Kerala for their friendliness and willingness to help.

Many viewers have tagged ministers KB Ganesh Kumar and PA Muhammed Riyas in the video. Alexander has also shared posts about his travels to various parts of India.

Changanassery MLA Job Michael said that a modern KSRTC bus stand is currently under construction. “The vlogger will be surprised by the transformation in Changanassery once the project is completed. People must stop dumping waste, and the municipality should impose heavy fines on violators,” he said.

Changanassery Municipality Chairperson Krishnakumari Rajashekharan added that efforts are underway to maintain cleanliness in the town. “Despite regular waste removal, people continue to dump garbage. The town can truly become beautiful only if residents cooperate,” she said.