PMC to launch month-long cleanliness drive on May 16

PATNA: Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC) is all set to launch its monthlong cleanliness campaign, 'Mission Chakachak Ward, to make the city garbage-free and get the water-plus tag as part of its preparation for the Swachh Survekshan 2023. The campaign will be launched on May 16 in all the six circles of the civic body.
Municipal commissioner Animesh Kumar Parashar said under the cleanliness campaign, "chakachak" centres will be opened in all the 75 wards and several activities will be organized at 630 garbage-vulnerable points (GVPs), which have been freed from litters. "We have joined hands with Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and planned creative themes, slogans and posters to engage citizens with the campaign," Parashar told mediapersons at the PMC office here.
On the first day, rangoli will be made for awareness. RRR (reduce, reuse and recycle) activity has been planned for second day, planting of saplings for the third day, lighting of candles for the fourth day, sports activity for the fifth day, cultural event for the sixth day and tea party with the vigilance team for the seventh day. "All the activities will be organized by the chakachak centres at each ward. The activities will be held at GVPs," the commissioner said.
Parashar said all drivers and helpers of auto-tippers would be imparted training on solid waste management from May 24 to June 14 by Unicef-Bihar. "Following this, all 1,500 drivers and helpers will encourage residents for segregation of wet and solid waste," he said, adding that all the activities are planned to get certification of garbage-free city and waster plus tag, as the central team will visit Patna by May-end or first week of June.
As far as monsoon preparedness is concerned, the municipal commissioner said all the major drains are being cleaned and around 92% desilting work in manholes and catchpits has been completed. "We have set a target to complete cleaning of all drains by May 20, following which mop-up rounds will be held till monsoon. The civic body has also identified over 200 locations which are prone to waterlogging and pumping machines will be pre-positioned at such spots for immediate draining of water," Parashar said.
He added, "Even if it rains up to 100mm a day, there will be no waterlogging in Patna. The water will be pumped out from low-lying areas within 2 hours after the rain stops.