Clean-up operations in full swing

A portion of the moat in Vellore’s historical fort was cleaned up as part of ‘Swachh Bharat Abhiyan’ (Clean India Campaign) on Wednesday. The campaign will be held for a fortnight till April 30.

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) that maintains the Vellore Fort launched the campaign on April 16.

On Wednesday, cleaning operations were taken up in the left side of the moat at the entrance to the fort from 9 a.m. to 12.30 p.m.

A senior ASI official said around 300 persons were roped in for the cleaning initiative.

“This included public and representatives from the State government offices located inside the Fort, and Sri Jalakanteswarar Temple trustees,” he said. He added that there were plans to clean up the Kandy Mahal and sub jail on the Vellore Fort premises as part of the campaign.

Waste cleared

Another official said that waste dumped in the moat including plastic bags was removed during the clean-up. “We want to cover one area on each day of the campaign. Today, shopkeepers and other vendors in the fort and Vellore Corporation took part in the cleaning initiative. At least three to four loads of waste was removed and transported in a lorry by the Vellore Corporation,” he said.