A Mobile Swachhata Squad, brainchild of the Paradip Port Trust (PPT) is spearheading the fortnightly Swachhata Pakhwada programme here since last one week. Under the aegis of the Ministry of Shipping, the PPT is observing the Pakhwada, which would conclude on March 31.
While briefing reporters on Wednesday, PPT Deputy Chairman N Vaiyapuri elaborated the steps taken by the PPT for cleaning and building public awareness about clean sanitation in association with the Paradip Shaksharata Samity, the Paradip Municipality and local people. Garbage consisting of plastics, tyres, cartons, discarded oil refills, etc., which are piled up in huge quantities, are being removed. PPT Secretary UR Mohan Raju was also present during the occasion.
In the last one week, the squad has cleaned the stretches of the road from the bus-stand to Call Stand ‘V’ Point alongside the Sarala Temple near Netaji Chowk, the road in front of the DAV School to Nuabazar Chowk, areas in front of the Maritime Museum, sub-station premises near the Shramik Bhavn, Madhuban, etc.
Besides, the World Water Day was also observed by the PPT on Wednesday. The damaged pipelines in the quarters of Madhuban Colony were repaired. The water taps in Nuabazar Colony were also repaired. At the Balijhara Water Works, weed cleaning was undertaken.
The PPT would also lay water pipeline from the Mahanadi from Tarapur to Paradip through the Idco to get better quality of raw water. The existing water treatment plants would be upgraded with addition of clarifloculators and treatment units.
At the Administrative Building, rainwater harvesting would be implemented and the stored water would be used for gardening, for which the work is in progress. Two sewerage treatment plants at a cost of about `20 crore would be constructed and the treated water would be used for water sprinkling in the harbour area.