The Hindu 14.01.2015
Move to improve drainage system and garbage removal
After having been badly hit by dengue fever, Rajapalayam is now getting attention of authorities on its bad drainage and garbage removal system.
An emergency meeting is being convened next week to discuss ways for improving drainage facility, especially in eight wards identified as ‘very high risk’ for dengue outbreak, according to Rajapalayam MLA K. Gopalsamy of the AIADMK.
He said the municipal authorities had identified that wards 20, 21 and 27 needed more public toilets. Additional toilets would have to be provided in wards 2, 3 and 4 along with proper drainage connections. Wards 35 and 36 too needed more toilets and drainage facility.
“The State has made it clear that funding will not be a problem and we will work out an action plan to prevent dengue outbreak in future,” he told The Hindu after meeting health officials at the Government Maternity Hospital.
Rajapalayam has 45,200 houses in 42 wards, of which 11 have been identified as high risk.
Special teams are inspecting every house to monitor fever cases and enlighten people about mosquito source reduction. Diagnostic facility for dengue has been provided at the government hospital.
Mr. Gopalasamy said a large number of vehicles had been pressed into service for garbage removal and drainage cleaning. “Cleanliness should be a permanent feature in Rajapalayam since it has a population of 1.5 lakh and a floating population of 30,000 on any day,” he added.
Regional Director of Municipal Administration Seeni Ajmal Khan said open defecation, absence of septic tank in many houses and lack of underground drainage had put Rajapalayam at great risk for vector-borne diseases. “Land for constructing new public toilets will be identified shortly and usability of existing toilets will be looked into,” he said.
He said 79 vehicles, including earth movers and tractors, were used for cleaning, desilting and clearing the channels.
N. Vimala, Municipal Commissioner, said 55 tonnes of garbage was being removed every day and a new operational system had been worked out.