Patna: The civic body plans to go the automation way to address the city's sanitation woes.
The Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC) has drawn up a city sanitation plan according to which it is set to introduce "state-of-the-art sanitation instruments" for cleanliness-related work.
PMC deputy municipal commissioner Vishal Anand on Thursday said that while the civic body had earlier thought about adding labourers in each ward based on population, the plan has been shelved. The PMC has realised that the initiative would not be fruitful from its past experience of being unable to sustain the system for long.
"We already have to pay around Rs 6 to 7 crore towards the payment of labourers. Adding more labourers will imply spending more money on their payment. We cannot spend majority of the corporation's funds only on payments, else other civic works will be affected," said Anand.
Corporation sources said absenteeism of labourers was also another reason, which prompted PMC to think about taking up the mechanised cleaning option instead of prioritising manual cleaning.
"The PMC empowered standing committee has approved the purchase of six sweeping machines, however, not all at one go. The machines will be bought one by one. We will also buy de-silting and other sanitation machine to clear manholes and drains throughout the year," said Anand. "The detailed project report for the purchase of the sanitation instrument has been ready. Soon, we are going to send it to the urban development and housing department. In case, we don't get funds from the department, we will seek funds for the same from the Centre. We are going to overhaul the system according to the new city sanitation plan."
PMC has to submit a report on its city sanitation plan in Patna High Court within six weeks.
The civic body has decided to buy sanitation equipment from the Centre's government e-marketplace (GeM) portal. "Earlier we faced a lot of problems while purchasing sanitation equipment for PMC. Sometimes bidding was cancelled. At other times, we faced other technical problems. That is why we decided to buy sanitation equipment through the Centre's portal because it would ensure transparency and efficiency. The corporation will be able to save time in the purchase of machines because machines can be bought for lower price and faster," added the deputy municipal commissioner.
He said as part of the city sanitation plan, it had been decided to start night-cleaning of roads. "But this will be started only when the work regarding installation of street lights on city roads is completed by central government agency, Energy Efficiency Services Ltd (EESL). Right now, they have completed work only on Bailey Road. They are yet to start light installation work on other stretches. Once it is completed, we will start night-cleaning of the roads as well," he said.
PMC officials said the implementation of the sanitation plan will be visible after two months.
"For its implementation, two deputy municipal commissioners have been given responsibility of two circles each. While deputy municipal commissioner Vishal Anand has been given the responsibility of the New Capital and Kankerbagh circles, the other deputy municipal commissioner, Poonam, has been given the responsibility of the Bankipore and Patna City circles," said a source in the PMC.
