Mysuru's mirror-on-wall hack to stop public urination goes viral
The Mysore City Corporation installed mirrors on a wall near the city's suburban bus stand to deter and shame public urination. A now-viral video showing the wall triggered discussions on whether behavioural nudges were actually impactful.
A civic initiative in Mysuru where authorities installed mirrors on a wall outside a busy public area to curb open urination, turned a long-standing nuisance into a moment of self-reflection, quite literally.
The move, reportedly carried out by the Mysore City Corporation, targeted a wall near the suburban bus stand that had become a habitual spot for public urination.
Instead of relying solely on fines or warnings, the corporation opted for a behavioural nudge, covering the wall with a shiny steel mirror so that anyone attempting to relieve themselves would be forced to see their own reflection.
A video of the new installation went viral on social media. In the clip, the person recording walked along the wall, pointing out how the reflective surface works as a deterrent. The idea, as he explained, was simple: most people would feel uncomfortable engaging in such an act while watching themselves in a mirror in a public setting.
The man also said, "If they had simply put up a board saying that urination here is a punishable offence, no one would've taken it seriously. This is the only way people can be stopped."
The initiative has been framed as part of broader cleanliness efforts under campaigns like Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, with the hope that such creative solutions would encourage better civic behaviour without the need for strict enforcement.
Watch the video here:
Online, the response has been largely positive, with several users calling it a clever and practical fix to a common urban problem. There were many commenters who praised the idea as “outstanding thinking,” suggesting it should be replicated in other cities facing similar issues.
Others pointed out the psychological aspect of the solution, noting that the discomfort of seeing oneself in such a situation could act as a strong deterrent.
At the same time, some reactions carried a touch of humour, with users joking that very few people would want to witness themselves in that position in public. A few also raised concerns about maintenance, wondering whether the mirrors would remain intact or be prone to theft or damage.