Sign in

Cyclist flags littering in Delhi’s Chandni Chowk despite dustbins, questions civic sense

A man showed garbage scattered across Delhi’s Chandni Chowk, pointing out that dustbins were present but largely ignored by people.

Published on: Jan 14, 2026, 20:00:31 IST
Share
Share via
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • linkedin
  • whatsapp
Copy link
  • copy link

A cycling influencer has drawn widespread attention to the issue of public littering after sharing a video from Delhi’s Chandni Chowk. The clip, posted on Instagram by Vaibhav Malik, shows him cycling through the bustling lanes of the historic market while highlighting piles of garbage scattered along the roadside.

A man flagged poor civic behaviour in Delhi’s Chandni Chowk after showing litter scattered around even with dustbins in place. (Instagram/fatbikervaibhav)
A man flagged poor civic behaviour in Delhi’s Chandni Chowk after showing litter scattered around even with dustbins in place. (Instagram/fatbikervaibhav)

As he rides, Malik points out that dustbins are clearly visible at multiple spots. However, despite their presence, waste can be seen strewn across the area. Speaking directly to the camera, he questions what more the government can do if citizens themselves fail to use basic public facilities.

Take a look here at the clip:

The video has struck a chord online, amassing over 120,000 views and triggering a discussion on cleanliness, responsibility, and public behaviour in Indian cities.

Online reactions pour in

The comments section quickly filled with reactions from viewers. Many agreed with Malik’s observations and compared Chandni Chowk with cleaner Indian cities.

One user wrote, “People should learn from Indore,” referring to the Madhya Pradesh city that has repeatedly topped national cleanliness rankings. Another commented in Hindi, “Doosre desh ke logon ke saamne hamare desh ki kitni beizzati hogi, so sad,” which translates to, “It is so sad how much our country will be embarrassed in front of people from other nations.

Others echoed similar frustration. “Dustbins are right there, yet people throw garbage on the road,” one user remarked. Another said, “This is not about money or development, it is about mindset.” A viewer added, “We want world class cities but refuse to act like responsible citizens.” Another comment read, “Until basic civic sense is taught at home, nothing will change.” One more user summed it up by saying, “Cleanliness starts with us, not with cameras or fines.”

HT.com has reached out to the user for his comments, and the copy will be updated once her response is received.

(Disclaimer: This report is based on user-generated content from social media. HT.com has not independently verified the claims and does not endorse them.)

  • Mahipal Singh Chouhan
    ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    Mahipal Singh Chouhan

    Mahipal Singh Chouhan is a Senior Content Producer at Hindustan Times Digital, with nearly five years of experience in digital journalism and content production. He primarily covers offbeat, trending and human-interest stories, with a focus on emerging social media trends, online conversations and real-world incidents that capture public attention. At Hindustan Times, Mahipal works on identifying and developing fast-moving digital stories, adding context and journalistic perspective to viral moments while maintaining accuracy, clarity and readability for online audiences. Before joining Hindustan Times Digital, he was associated with DNA India, where he gained experience in newsroom workflows and digital storytelling. He holds a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the Vivekananda Institute of Professional Studies, Delhi. Beyond journalism, he has a keen interest in history and sports and enjoys expanding his general knowledge.Read More

Discover the latest Trending News, viral videos, social media stories and unusual events from India and around the world. Stay updated with the topics everyone is talking about.