PCB, Shimla MC join hands to clean nullahs

Tribune News Service

Shimla, June 21

More than 141 tonnes of garbage, 41 tonnes of dry waste and 60 tonnes of sludge was collected from 14 different locations, including four nullahs, in Shimla and 10 from the industrial belt during the clean nallah campaign launched here on the occasion of International Yoga Day.

The drive was launched by the state Pollution Control Board (PCB) in association with the Shimla Municipal Corporation and other local civic bodies, industries, NGOs, schools and Home Guard.

Pulled up by the National Green Tribunal for high level of pollution in rivers, the state pollution regulator has decided to adopt these nullahs to make the cleanliness drive a routine affair rather than a yearly ritual as was the case earlier. It is formulating a “nullah development policy” to keep the drains clean.

Shimla Mayor Kusum Sadret said schoolchildren, NGOs and MC staff, including councillors and officials, participated in the cleanliness drive launched at four different places — Lift, Sabjimandi, Mist Chamber and Ruldubhatta.

More than five tonnes of garbage was collected from the four nullahs. “We will not only clean these nullahs on a regular basis, but also ensure that they are made beautiful,” said Sadret.

Dr RK Pruhthy, member secretary, State Pollution Control Board, said, “More than 4,000 volunteers participated in the campaign at 14 locations, including 10 locations in the industrial belt of BBBN and the Kala Amb belt. We collected about 80 tonnes of sludge and 61 tonnes of dry waste.”

Nullah development policy on cards

Pulled up by the National Green Tribunal for high level of pollution in rivers, the state pollution regulator has decided to adopt these nullahs to make the cleanliness drive a routine affair rather than a yearly ritual as was the case earlier. It is formulating a “nullah development policy” to keep the drains clean.