The number of sanitation workers in every ward of Patna Municipal Corporation would be increased.

This was decided at the first meeting of the empowered standing committee of the corporation, chaired by mayor Sita Sahu and attended by PMC commissioner Abhishek Singh, executive officers of the various circles and other standing committee members on Friday. The panel's first meeting saw discussions on the corporation's existing infrastructure and manpower. The idea was to ascertain whether the city could be kept spick and span with existing resources.

"It came out during discussions that because of rapid increase in population in the last five years and work to widen roads in many areas, the number of sanitation workers should be increased in each and every ward," mayor Sita Sahu said. "The ward councillors were asked to submit a report about requirement of sanitation workers, on the basis of these factors, at the next standing committee meeting."

A member of the standing committee, speaking on condition of anonymity, said: "It was also decided that private agencies engaged in door-to-door-garbage collection would have to hold a monthly meeting with their councillors so that the programme is implemented properly." The meeting also raised the issue of tractors not covering every area during garbage collection. A decision was taken to reduce garbage burden from secondary landfill sites near Gardanibagh Hospital and Agamkuan. "It has been seen that garbage remains dumped at secondary landfill sites in large quantity and for a long period," the official said.

"So, a decision has been taken to transfer garbage from the secondary to primary landfill site at Ramchak Bairiya village from midnight to 12 noon."

Members of the empowered standing committee raised the issue of waterlogging in some areas, like R Block and Kankerbagh, even after a few hours of rain. "They demanded that the drains be desilted again but the PMC commissioner turned it do-wn saying 100 per cent of the work was done and only a few areas were waterlogged because the city received a good amount of rain in the last few days," said another standing committee member.

The standing committee members sought details from the commissioner about money left for development-related works in the corporation's coffer. "How PMC can generate more revenue was discussed," said the member. They also deliberated on creating a mechanism to segregate dry and wet garbage and generate electricity from the garbage. The commissioner said the corporation was not getting suitable land for creating necessary infrastructure. The standing committee members have decided to meet the district magistrate in this regard," said a member.