Vijayawada: Vijayawada Municipal Corporation authorities have taken up a programme to clean up canals in the city to bring about awareness on proper waste management coinciding with the World Maritime Day on Thursday.
Speaking on the occasion, district collector Dilli Rao lauded the civic officials, saying their series of initiatives can turn the city into Sampoorna Swachh Vijayawada.
Vijayawada municipal commissioner Swapnil Dinkar Pundkar said permission has been sought for taking up commercial boating on the canals. This will enhance recreational opportunities and contribute to economic development of the region.
Swapnil requested people of the city not to dispose of waste, garbage or domestic sewage into the canals or the river.
Vijayawada Central MLA Malladi Vishnu commended the efforts to civic authorities in checking the river from getting polluted. He said iron mesh must be installed at the bridges on canals to remove garbage and keep the city clean.
Vijayawada West MLA Vellampalli Srinivas appreciated the efforts of civic authorities in keeping the city clean.
Officials took a kilometre-long boat ride from Bandar Canal and checked out Aluru and Ryves canals.
