Nearly 2,200 mt of garbage generated at bathing ghats and other areas
Discarded water packets covers a major portion at RTC complex road in Rajahmundry. (Photo: DC)
Rajahmundry: Though the authorities have imposed ‘No Plastic Zone’ along the course of Godavari river on either side especially in municipal areas to avoid pollution of river water and maintain sanitation in the towns, they have relaxed it, following sweltering heat and devotees facing hardships for not finding water to quench their thirst after standing in the queue for long hours to reach the bathing ghats during Godavari Maha Pushkaralu in Godavari districts.
Earlier, the authorities imposed ban on sale of water sachets in Rajahmundry, Kovvur, Narasapuram and other areas and people are advised not to bring plastic material including carry bags carrying the puja material to perform rituals. This resulted in traders stopped using plastic carry bags and the consumers were asked to purchase cloth bags. The ban on usage of plastic has become a major hit in short time.
However, in the aftermath of tragic death of 27 persons in stampede at Pushkar ghat,the government drew flak as devotees complained of non-availability of water at the ghats. Then the government relaxed the norms and allowed sachets with water and butter milk to be carried by the devotees at the ghats. In fact, the government itself is dumping huge quantum of sachets of water and butter milk at bathing ghats and at public places and distributing them to the devotees free of cost.
The minister for municipal administration P. Narayana is learnt to have asked the officials to relax the norm for the time being and allow the devotees to carry water, butter milk and food in plastic bags. This resulted in civic authorities facing a tough task to clear garbage. Nearly 2,200 mt of garbage consisting of plastic glasses, plates, used sachets of water and butter milk, food items, wrappers, flowers, coconut shells, banana leaves, Istrakulu and other material, is being generated in Rajahmundry alone at bathing ghats and at other places, unlike the average generation of 170 mt of garbage per day. At Kovvur too, 70 mt to 80 mt of garbage is being generated against 21 mt per day, during normal days.
The civic authorities are appealing to the devotees not to litter the roads, ghats and public places by throwing the plastic material carelessly as it is making their efforts to keep the roads and ghats clean to be a futile exercise and advise them to dump in garbage bins. They are also keeping a mix of sand and bleaching powder packed in a bag on the
edges of the ghats to purify the river water and avoid any health related problems to the devotees after taking dip in the river.
Rajahmundry municipal corporation additional commissioner P. Sakala Reddy said, "Nearly 9,000 sanitation staffs are working continuously to maintain sanitation. We appeal to devotees to cooperate with the authorities to maintain sanitation. Once the fete is over, we will restore ban on usage of plastic material in the city."
( Source : deccan chronicle )
Next Story
