Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC), in its final bid to achieve a better rank in Swachh Sarvekshan (cleanliness survey)-2017 being conducted by the Union government, held an awareness campaign for students and teachers at JD Women's College on Tuesday.

Patna is among the 500 cities from across the country, which will be rated after final assessment by evaluators and citizens' feedback.

Tuesday was the last day for residents to post their feedback on Swachh App and calling on the Swachh helpline number - 1969. Ward councillor Abha Lata was present at the PMC's programme on Tuesday to convince students and teachers to download the Swachch App and post their feedback on the app. The survey was rolled out in the country on January 4 and its result is expected to be released in the first week of March.

According to the PMC, while on January 26, Patna's rank was 85th in the survey, on Tuesday morning, it reached 80th. Till Tuesday morning, 1,907 people had downloaded the app, said PMC sources.

"Of the 2,000 total marks for the contest, the citizens' feedback carries 600 marks while ensuring enough number of public toilets, their cleanliness, solid waste management are the other issues that carry the rest of the score. If more number of residents post their feedback (they can give it either by posting it on the Swachch App or by calling on the helpline), Patna's rank in the survey would get better. Tuesday's programme was organised by the PMC so that it can acquaint students about the app and the helpline number," said an official of the public relations agency, which has been engaged by the PMC in the promotion of the programme in the city.

She added: "The idea was that students would download the app after the awareness drive and post their civic issues, which otherwise don't get attention from the municipal corporation."

"The municipal corporation would be forced to solve the issue because it is supposed to earn points in case it solves the issue posted by residents on the app and also those received on the helpline within 24 hours of the post. Today around 250 students, teaching and non-teaching staff of the college downloaded the app and posted their feedback on the app while a few also called up on the toll-free helpline number as well."

Students of the college, who participated in the PMC's drive, were surprised to learn about the app.

"If PMC workers forget to sweep roads in my area or any other street in the city or if they forget to cart trash from dustbins, we don't have to worry much. We have to post our problem on the app and the corporation will be bound to address the problem. I love the idea. This will instil a sense of responsibility among PMC officials," said Puja Kumari, a BA first-year student of the college.