The Times of India 03.12.2013
Hubli-Dharwad gives itself 6 weeks to sport clean look
HUBLI: The twin cities will soon say goodbye to mounds of garbage and sport squeaky-clean look within six weeks if the civic administration's plan comes through.
The Hubli-Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC) has launched an initiative that involves cleaning up the whole city on Fridays. The cities with 10 lakh people spread over 67 wards generate about 400 tonnes of solid waste every day.
The HDMC announced the move after several citizen groups launched agitations and protests against the administration's apathy in clearing garbage piles that have become an eyesore. Most wards weren't getting enough broomwork as the job done by civic officials and health inspectors left a lot to be desired.
According to the plan, civic workers will assemble in their respective zonal office every Friday and start the cleanup work.
The HDMC plan will roll out in phases: first, the drive is held every Friday till January 3 to rid every nook and corner of the residential areas of dirt and filth; second, the last Friday of the drive - January 3 - is devoted to cleaning public places like playgrounds and burial grounds. The second phase will start after the first one draws to a close on January 3.
The twin cities have been classified into 12 zones with 5-6 wards clustered under each zone. About 25 civic workers will set off on the mission in each ward - this means, 120-130 civic workers will fan out in each zone. On Fridays, these 120-130 civic warriors will assemble in their respective zonal office at 9.30am for the task on hand.
HDMC special officer S H Naregal told TOI that all supportive infrastructure in a city - like drainage, sewers and disposal of garbage - would be looked into, besides spraying pesticides to ensure a cleaner city. The administration will announce the names of the areas that will be covered three days before the work starts on Fridays. Citizens can call up the HDMC control room to log their garbage complaints, he said.
