Cleaning all the water bodies and reservoirs after the Chhath Puja is one of the biggest challenges for the Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC). As Chhath Puja ended on Wednesday, items which are used for puja purposes like coconuts, banana leaves, fruits, earthen lamps, clothes besides other objects are littered around the banks of the water bodies in the city creating a big problem for the civic authorities to clean the mess.
Ranchi lake, Jail Talab, Kanta Toli Talab, Argora Talab, Police line Talab, line Tank, Harmu pond are some of the major water bodies that need to be cleaned immediately after the festivals as these water bodies are surrounded with dense population.
local residents expect the civic authorities to act immediately after the Chhath Puja and conduct a massive cleanliness drive as denizens have their own reasons to cite.
“Every year authorities clean ponds only after a week once Chhath puja gets over. Meanwhile, the surrounding area stinks and it is also difficult for children to play in open space near ponds. The litter also creates problems for pedestrians as only few puja items are biodegradable,” said Pragati Mishra, who resides near line Tank.
A similar situation is being faced by few other residents who live near Ranchi lake. “This is not something unusual for us, every year we witness similar situation after the Chhath puja. The stink from rotten fruits and flowers creates problem for everyone and garbage piles including plastics and crackers harbours germs obviously affect our life,” informed Reena Sharma.
However, Deputy Mayor Sanjeev Vijaywargia has assured that within the next ten days all the ponds listed under RMC will be cleaned up. “As of now we have not fixed any specific numbers of labourers for cleaning all the water bodies. Supervisors in each ward have been instructed to check the condition of ponds when the cleanliness drive will be conducted. RMC will soon start cleanliness drive in the city.”
“There are as many as 40 water bodies across the city including rivers, dams, ponds and lakes listed under RMC. Every year cleanliness drive begins immediately after the Chhath puja. We will deploy labourers in specific numbers at all the major water bodies. All the collected waste will be collected and dumped at Jhiri,” added Vijaywargia.