The first leg of ‘Swachhata Hi Seva’ began with Corporation Commissioner S. Aneesh Sekhar inaugurating a cleanliness drive at the Eco Park here on Saturday.
The initiative, hailed as a ‘cleanliness movement’, is part of the Central government’s Swachh Bharat campaign. Local bodies with the help of the public must spruce up prominent public spots, including parks, government buildings and recreational places.
About 50 volunteers and conservancy workers took part in the drive and split into groups of 10 while cleaning. The Commissioner inspected the Corporation premises as well and instructed officials to keep the area free from plastic. While cleaning the Eco Park, he found that the space where boating once took place was riddled with plastic.
“We have decided to keep the area clean, prepare a project report and finalise the tender regarding the public-private partnership to resume boating. While we will provide the space and water for boating, private parties can collect fees,” he said. Neenu Ittyerah, Divisional Railway Manager, Southern Railway, Madurai Division, led the cleanliness drive at Madurai Railway Junction.
Theni
Theni Collector M. Pallavi Baldev took a pledge to keep the town clean and green.
She launched the campaign at Aranmanaipudur panchayat in Bodinayakannur here, which would go on till October 2, the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
On September 25, a mass cleaning would be undertaken in all public places across the district.
