Power of a Viral Video: Kanniyakumari Cleans Up Its Act

A foreign tourist’s viral video showing waste dumping on Kanniyakumari’s Sunset Point Road has achieved what many locals couldn’t: immediate action. The clip went viral across platforms and brought attention to the messy state of the scenic road leading to the famous sunset spot. The local body wasted no time responding, launching a clean-up drive to restore the area.

The road surges in activity during the Sabarimala season and has become a makeshift marketplace. Temporary shops selling food, toys, and clothes sprout yearly, drawing crowds and leaving behind waste piles. However, this year, the situation escalated, with several unauthorised vendors setting up shop despite a district administration ban to preserve the area’s scenic beauty.

Government’s Action

An official from the town panchayat clarified that the waste wasn’t the result of local governance but was left behind by these temporary stalls. “The season typically ends by mid-January, and vendors move to other locations. Unfortunately, they leave their waste behind,” the official said.

Taking swift action, the local body deployed JCB machines to level the ground where the shops stood. The collected waste is now being transported to cement factories for recycling, adhering to Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board guidelines.

Initiative and Beyond

To ensure cleanliness, the district administration also plans a mass cleaning drive in partnership with the Pollution Control Board. This initiative will take place in the coming days and aims to keep Kanniyakumari clean and inviting for tourists.

This highlights the power of social media to bring about change. A single video highlighted the issue and pushed the authorities into action. As citizens, it’s a reminder that small actions, like sharing a video, raising awareness, or tagging your local government offices and departments, can lead to significant results.

Using social media to address issues is nothing new. On the railways, hundreds of posts on platforms like X highlight the status, conditions, and updates about trains, stations, and even the IRCTC website!

Finally,

Kanniyakumari’s Sunset Point Road issue proves that social media is more than just a platform. It’s a tool for accountability and change. As the clean-up continues, one hopes this lesson in responsibility extends to everyone: locals, vendors, and tourists.