A top tourism official said on Wednesday every individual must feel responsible for maintaining the sanctity of the Krishna by keeping the river and its surroundings clean. Addressing a gathering after launching cleaning operations by the Amaravati Boat Club (ABC) in the river from the Punnami ghat, Principal Secretary, A.P. Tourism, N. Srikanth said people should desist from throwing plastic bottles and sachets in or around the river.
He complimented the management and staff of the ABC on ensuring a clean river and ghats by removing discarded bottles and water sachets lying around the place. Boat clubs were being set up along the banks and water sports introduced to attract people in line with the vision of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, he said. CEO of ABC Tharun Kakani said his organisation had been contributing towards a plastic-free river and its vicinity, inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Swachch Bharat slogan and Mr. Naidu’s vision to develop the new capital into an international destination.
He said garbage bins and nets to clean the river were made available and anyone could volunteer to join the clean-up drive. Incentives would be given to such participants. “It is for us to keep our places clean and it is imperative to do so to attract outsiders to the place.”
Mr. Srikanth, along with Mr. Shukla, president of the Vijayawada Chamber of Commerce M. Muralikrishna, Vijayawada head of the Confederation of Indian Industry G. Venkateswara Rao, K.L. University president Koneru Raja Harin and others formally launched the river-cleaning drive.APTDC Divisional Manager and others were present.
