He is on the road at 5 am sharp because that is when roads and drains are cleaned. He is not a sweeper nor their supervisor. He is an IAS officer who could very well enjoy the comforts of his home and office passing out orders or reprimands to his juniors. But, Moradabad Municipal Commissioner, Mr Divyanshu Patel, a 2017-batch UP Cadre IAS officer, believes in leading from the front.
That’s why Moradabad has jumped from All India Rank 131 in Urban Development Ministry’s Swachta Survekshan (Cleanliness Survey for cities from 3 lakh to 10 lakh population ) to Rank 10 in just two years. Mr Patel spoke to Indian Masterminds about he turned around the city.
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“I told my subordinates that I will be on the road at 5.15 am and will post my photograph in our WhatsApp group by 5.30 am. I expect them to post their photos – on the job – in the group by 6.30 am. But, not later than that. 6.30 means 6.30”, he said narrating how he brought about the transformation.
The moment you enter Municipal limits of Moradabad, you automatically realise the difference. The roads are spanking clean. Roadsides are adorned with red-sandstone murals of great historical personalities or pieces of history. There is almost no encroachment on roads. Drains too are free flowing. Even garbage mounds are a thing of the past. Rather Moradabad Municipal Council (MMC) is earning by processing the garbage. That is some transformation.
Why red sandstone murals? “Because if you create anything in steel or any other metal, drug addicts tend to steal it and sell in scrap to fund their addiction. But, they can’t take away and sell stone. Besides, it looks elegant”, he says.
Indian Masterminds followed Mr Patel on his early morning rendezvous. He is a non-interfering boss whose very presence galvanises fellow officers and workers into working. He is a thinker who keeps coming up with ideas to improve cleanliness and sanitation. The subordinates find it difficult to keep pace with him. But, they don’t have a choice. On a lighter note it can be said that they are afflicted with Stockholm Syndrome where captives develop affection for captors.
“Many people ask me where do it draw my inspiration and ideas for new projects. I simply tell them I keep close track of Prime Minister and Chief Minister’s speeches and social media posts and try to bring their ideas into reality”, he said.
