Changanassery: The heaps of garbage that had piled up in front of the KSRTC bus stand — and drew global embarrassment after a German vlogger’s video went viral — have finally been cleared. Sanitation workers of the Changanassery Municipality swung into action and removed the waste, bringing some relief to the area.

However, the municipality maintains that the responsibility for clearing the garbage lies with KSRTC, as the waste was dumped within its premises. The municipality, on its part, routinely cleans both sides of the MC Road. The Municipal Health Standing Committee stated that it had repeatedly urged KSRTC to remove the waste but received no response.

According to Elsamma Jacob, chairperson of the Municipal Health Standing Committee, an official letter has now been issued to KSRTC highlighting the issue. The heaps of garbage became a topic of public discussion after Alexander Welder, a German vlogger visiting Kerala, posted a video showing the squalor in front of the bus stand. The clip quickly gained traction online, exposing poor waste management practices and prompting immediate municipal action.

Will it take another vlogger?
The public, however, point out that only the waste shown in the viral video has been cleared. Just a few metres away, more garbage piles remain untouched, especially near the temporary waiting shelter in front of the bus stand. Commuters waiting there say they are forced to cover their noses to escape the unbearable stench.

The municipality continues to insist that KSRTC must take responsibility for clearing the remaining waste, while KSRTC officials have yet to respond. Frustrated locals now ask whether it will take another vlogger to make the authorities act again.

Meanwhile, some residents argue that the town’s image should not depend on a single viral video. “Vloggers will keep coming,” they point out, “but it’s everyone’s duty to keep Changanassery clean and beautiful.”

“There is no point in merely installing cameras or conducting awareness drives. A proper system must be in place to catch those who dump waste, and hefty fines should be imposed,” says Sanju Chacko, a local resident. “The penalty should be so strict that people think twice before dumping waste again.”

Riya Reji, another resident, called for stronger accountability. “The photos of those caught dumping waste should be made public, and strict fines must be collected from them,” she said.