Wild outgrowth along the Handri River is also being cleared using JCBs.
The development comes after Industries minister T.G. Bharath instructed city officials to review the sanitation issues in the city and take the necessary action.
Waste is being removed from all major sewers in the city, with more than 15 special staff assigned to each ward. A budget of ₹1.06 crore has been allotted for the purpose.
After years, citizens are happy to see clearing of waste from the Suddavagu using JCBs. Similarly, Handri River, in which concrete debris and garbage had been dumped, is almost cleaned up.
There is a proposal to construct a bund road from Yellamma Temple near Raj Vihar to Budhawarapet Bridge. The waste dredged, including the concrete debris from across the city, is being used to pave the bund road. Simultaneously, cleaning of the KC Canal has also been taken up.
As a result of these long overdue efforts, rainwater in low-lying areas could be effectively drained within hours following the heavy rains on Saturday. Residents of Kurnool have expressed satisfaction with the ongoing de-siltation and sanitation works in the city.
In this regard, KMC commissioner S. Ravindra Babu has appealed to the citizens to hand over their household waste to municipal-collection vehicles, instead of dumping it into sewers. He also warned people against constructing anything permanent over the city’s canals.
The commissioner informed people that if garbage is not collected from their homes, they can lodge a complaint by calling 74229 92299.
Kurnool Pragathi Samiti founder president M. Sri Harsha has praised the ongoing desilting works, while raising concerns over the safety of sanitation workers. He pointed out that the workers lack proper protective gear and they must be provided gloves, boots and special clothing.
Without such protection, he said, workers are at the risk of getting skin infections, respiratory ailments, and other diseases, like Hepatitis A.
Sri Harsha asked the corporation officials to immediately supply the necessary protective equipment to the sanitation workers.
