With the launch of intensive clean-up drives in various parts of the city, the Kollam Corporation has embarked on a new mission.
As part of its new campaign, students, residents’ associations and voluntary organisations joined hands with the civic body in transforming public places overgrown with weeds and accumulated with waste.
In the initial phase, a couple of long-neglected sites including crematoriums at Mulankadakam and Polayathodu were cleaned. “It will be a continuing process and we will make sure that all these places remain well-maintained in the future as well,” Mayor V. Rajendrababu said.
A lot of residents turned up and participated in the clean-up drive at the Asramam ground conducted on Sunday. “We badly needed this cleaning spree, as many areas had been an eyesore for those living in the locality,” said Remani, a resident. More than 600 persons participated in the drive that continued from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. “We will be cleaning more public places coming under the Corporation limits in the coming days,” said the Mayor.
As part of the drive, four earth movers and other machinery were brought to the site to maximise the efforts. According to Corporation officials, the public response was immense. “There were NCC cadets and NSS volunteers from nearby schools and colleges along with members of residents’ associations. They all actively participated in the drive,” said an official.
Other participants included TRACK volunteers, Corporation staff, ASHA and Kudumbashree workers, Excise and Fire and Rescue Services personnel, and students from IHRD, Kundara.
“The drive will continue in the coming weekend also and once the entire maidan is cleaned, steps will be taken to maintain and beautify it. We are looking for a permanent system that will be implemented with the support of voluntary organisations and residents’ associations,” said the official.
