When residents woke up to clean roads

Shivani Bhakoo

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, December 18

Much to residents’ surprise, the roads from where the Jagannath Rath Yatra passed through last evening, gave a clean look today.

No filth was witnessed on roads unlike other occasions, when litter used to remain scattered all over for 2 to 3 days. The residents in the city have appreciated the efforts made by the civic body in ensuring cleanliness following the yatra.

Additional Commissioner Rishipal Singh, who had held a meeting with the organisers of the yatra, said their sole motive was to make sure no litter or garbage is witnessed in the city following the yatra.

Earlier, paper plates, wrappers and litter used to remain scattered all over for 2-3 days and authorities were condemned for being callous in lifting the garbage.

This time, over 600 employees of the MC were involved in cleaning roads, once the yatra was over late last night. Not just employees, but sanitary inspectors, chief sanitary inspectors, doctors of the Health Department ensured cleanliness and earth-moving machines were put to lift the litter/waste from the roads.

Residents heaved a sigh of relief and appreciated the cleanliness in the city. Sunita, a manager at a beauty parlour, said the sweeping of roads was already done when she came to workplace in the morning.

“The authorities ensured and made sincere efforts this time. At the same time, residents also showed some sense of responsibility and many were seen carrying bags with them and they put wrappers in those bags,” she said.

Midha Chowk, Jawahar Camp ignored?

Contrary to the cleanliness at the rath yatra route, residents near Midha Chowk, Jawahar Nagar camp complained that the 40-45 feet road was covered by garbage, which was emitting foul smell. Residents said it was one of the main garbage-collection points in the area, from where garbage was not lifted for two days. “We cannot pass through the stretch as garbage is scattered all over the road (one side). It should be lifted on time, the authorities should provide some relief,” said Gurkirpal Singh, a shopkeeper at Jawahar Nagar Camp.

Additional Commissioner Rishipal Singh said perhaps most of the staff was busy in cleaning the rath yatra route, but he would make sure that the area is cleaned within no time.