The Times of India               19.07.2013

Rajkot Municipal Corporation launches cleanliness drive in Rajkot

RAJKOT: With waterborne diseases spreading fast during the season, the Rajkot Municipal Corporation (RMC) has launched a cleanliness drive to clear solid waste and mosquito breeding grounds.

As part of the 'One Day, One Ward' campaign, all the concerned departments of RMC will go together to each ward for the clean-up.

"The aim of 'One Day, One Ward' is to make coordinated efforts to clean up the city," said P P Vyas, deputy municipal commissioner, RMC.

"During the drive, we will deploy JCB machines, tractors and dumpers to collect solid waste and other garbage from open plots, public places and roads. There are some points in each ward where people regularly throw garbage and solid waste, which raises the threat of an epidemic."

RMC officials said that the drive is being taken up in each of the three zones. Apart from solid waste management teams, teams of drainage, water works and health will also visit the spots to oversee the work.

Vyas said that this the second round of the drive since rainy season started. Cases of dengue have surfaced due to increased humidity. In all, 12 cases have been reported in July alone.

"The intermittent rainfall that has been occurring almost daily for the last one week is making the task of cleanliness difficult," said an official.

Moreover, thousands of stray cattle on the roads is adding to the problems. "There are over 35,000 stray cattle in the city that hamper the cleanliness work during the monsoon. They sit on public roads leaving them dirty," said an RMC official.

Meanwhile, Saurashtra continued to receive rainfall at many places on Thursday. Maximum rainfall was reported in Junagadh which received 21mm.