NDMC, EDMC to launch special sanitation, cleanliness drive

NEW DELHI, Aug 9: Two of the three municipal corporations of the city will launch their sanitation-cum- cleanliness drive tomorrow ahead of the Independence Day. The North Delhi (NDMC) and East Delhi Municipal Corporations (EDMC) will hold the drive in their respective areas in two phases, officials today said. The first phase will be from August 10 to August 20 bracketing the I-Day celebrations and the second phase of drive will be launched on August 25 which will last till November 18, during the festive season. North Delhi Mayor Ravinder Gupta said the drive would put emphasis on "micro-level monitoring over day-to-day cleanliness of all areas, lifting of solid waste, cleanliness of public urinals". Besides other issues, such as taking preventive public health measures for control of water and vector-borne diseases, repair and maintenance of roads, footpaths, pavements, maintenance of parks, functioning of parks, streetlights and high-mast lights would be taken up in this period. He said in order to sensitise citizens on the importance of sanitation, pamphlets/banners and 'prabhat pheries' would be undertaken by school children. East Delhi Mayor Harshdeep Malhotra said the drive will also focus on making the city clean and green. He said it will include an action plan as per date-wise, ward-wise and zone-wise data. The drive would raise awareness about sanitation among citizens and EDMC would use social, print and electronic media to seek active participation of citizens, RWAs, market associations. Fogging and spraying of insecticide for prevention of the outbreak of water and vector-borne diseases, distribution of chlorine tablets in unauthorised colonies, slums etc, would also be a part of this drive, Malhotra added. NDMC Commissioner P K Gupta said the drive will focus on cleanliness of drains, dhalaos, dustbins and removal of silt and garbage from open sites. He added that all possible efforts would be made to prevent waterlogging and other problems which could be occur during the monsoon season.