India, Aug. 25 -- Expatriates and local residents of Gurugram launched a citizen-led cleanliness drive on Sunday in a rare display of civic unity, starting with the area around the Guru Dronacharya Metro Station. The site, once strewn with heaps of unattended waste, was cleared by volunteers determined to send a message about keeping the city clean.

Gurugram, one of India's fastest-growing cities, generates thousands of tonnes of waste daily. Much of it ends up on streets, empty plots, and stormwater drains, creating both an eyesore and a public health hazard. Official statistics show that door-to-door waste collection has fallen from 85% to 59% in the past year, while segregation of waste at source has dropped from 15% to 10%.

Against ...