The Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC) municipal commissioner, G. Ravi Babu, has emphasised the need for implementation of action plan to check dumping of waste material and pollution in three canals in the city.

He convened a meeting with the officials of VGTM-UDA and Irrigation department at the VMC and discussed the ways and means to check pollution in Bandar, Ryves and Eluru canals in the city.

Speaking on the occasion, the commissioner suggested for setting up of mesh and construction of walls on bridges and canal bunds to prevent dumping of garbage and waste. He said many footwear and other industries were dumping waste into canals resulting in pollution of canals and breeding of mosquitoes.

Mr Ravi Babu said a large number of people are suffering due to mosquito menace caused by stagnation of water in canals and asked the irrigation officials to connect these irrigation canals to the side channels to divert water to Budameru.

Responding to the suggestion, the irrigation officials said they would extend cooperation to the civic body and build side channels to divert the sewage water.

The commissioner also asked the VGTM-UDA officials to increase greenery and set up walking tracks along the canal bunds for the convenience of morning walkers and to maintain hygiene. He suggested for preparation of action plan by VMC, UDA and irrigation department to protect the canals from pollution. He suggested the public health department officials to supply sufficient shoes, masks and other materials to staff while cleaning the canals.

Mr Ravi Babu inspected the three canals for the last few days and assessed the grim situation prevailing in the city due to stalling of flow of water due to delta modernisation works.

The VMC chief medical officer, Dr Satyanarayana Raju, the superintending engineer, Mr Venkateswara Rao, the executive engineer, Mr J.V. Rama Krishna, and the VGTM UDA secretary, Mr Kumar were among those present.