Ujjain: Divisional commissioner MB Ojha reprimanded government staff involved in the purification of the Kshipra over severe lapses in following orders and making no effort in working towards the cleaning process, at a meeting held at Brihaspati Bhavan on Tuesday.
He said he was ashamed that they were floating tenders worth crores on the purification project, but had not started work for the past year. He warned them of stern action, including suspension, if there was any more delay, for, the Kshipra he said, was the city’s lifeline and identity, not to mention its moral and social responsibility.
Meanwhile, at the meeting, water resources engineer, Yogendra Giri, presented a work plan for the purification of the river. Ojha instructed that as per the plan of action, all departments should submit the compliance report promptly. The plan will be presented in the meeting of the Kshipra Purification Trust on May 21. He said work for the purification of the should be done on the pattern of the Narmada purification campaign which was conducted in the State.
Key points of action plan
- Forest department to plant saplings on government land on both sides of Kshipra. Plants should be prepared from tissue culture as per requirement. Ujjain Development Authority had given Rs 10 lakh for plantation and its compliance report should be sent.
- Demarcation of encroachment on both sides of Kshipra river should be done by the revenue department
- The work of cleaning of ghats to be carried out by the irrigation department.
- All villages of the river banks should be freed from open defecation.
- Work of plantation on private and government land should be taken up under MNREGA scheme.
- Waste management work should be done in the coastal village panchayats.
- Separate ‘kunds’ should be prepared on river side for immersion of domestic waste.
- Intercept drains and garbage points which are getting mixed in the river should be identified.
- Muktidhams should be established at a distance from the ghats.
- Sufficient number of public toilets should be constructed on both sides of the river.
- Plants to be constructed in villages and urban areas of both sides, for manufacturing manure from garbage.
- Apart from encouraging farmers for organic farming, certification of their produce should also be made. Ensure least use of chemical fertilizers in fields.
- Promote farmers for agricultural forestry, water and soil management.
- To set up units for the production of dung gas, biogas, waste gas etc.
- Boundaries of agriculture fields be arranged and fisheries should be done in greater amounts.
- Farmers should submit the pledges for horticulture and encourage them to cultivate fruits, flowers and vegetables.
- People should be encouraged to plant trees in the memory of their ancestors, on the banks of the river.
- Promote animal husbandry.
- Illegal quarrying in river banks and rivers should be stopped sternly.
- Ensure that the execution of waste and polluted water from hotels is done by the hotels itself.
- The waste and dirty water emanating from the industries should be done by the industries and in no case can they be found in the river.
- The water resources department should ensure that the flow of river from the dam etc is not obstructed.
- Jan Abhiyan Parishad should organise public awareness rallies and constitute village blooming committees to inspire people for river conservation.
- Water treatment plant should be installed in Panthpiplai.
- All stop dams made on the Kshipra river and its tributaries should be maintained by the water resources department.
- Beautification of the Kshipra between Narsing Ghat and Ramghat to Bada Pull should be done on a priority basis.