In order to deal with the increased generation of waste during the festive season of Diwali, the Municipal Corporation of Dehradun plans to intensify its sanitation work. The drive to impose the ban on polythene bags measuring less than 40 microns will also be continued.
However, skeptics point out that the corporation is already struggling to maintain the normal level of sanitation in Dehradun and would not be able to efficiently dispose of the increased load of garbage during the festivities.
The hundreds of workers employed by the ward level sanitation committees have also threatened to go on strike if their demand for increased wages is not met.
This has increased the problems being faced by the corporation which is already struggling with a shortage of sanitation staff.
Generally, the MCD undertakes a special sanitation drive ahead of Diwali but this year not too long after the launch of the Swachchh Bharat mission, the corporation is struggling to ensure the required level of sanitation in town. According to the Mukhya Nagar Adhikari Harak Singh Rawat, the corporation will strive to ensure effective routine cleaning in the city.
The anti-polythene drive will also be continued by the corporation, he said. However, the MCD could find it hard to ensure a clean city in view of the considerable increase registered during Diwali time.
Dehradun generates more than 200 tonnes of municipal waste daily.
The increased sales of various items packed in materials including plastic add to the waste generation. At such a time, the sanitation committee workers are demanding an increase in their monthly wage of Rs3,000. They complain that in spite of assurances being repeatedly given to them about their demands being met, the authorities have not taken any action in this direction.