The civic body is set to start a plantation drive in the city to give it a green look, much to the satisaction of the people.

The proposed plantation drive in all the four circles of Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC) would be a part of “Shahri Paryavaran and Saundaryikaran Yojana” (city environment and beautification plan) of the urban development department. The circle officers would soon be asked to start the drive and identify the places for beautification.

“PMC commissioner Kuldip Narayan recently received an order in this regard from the state urban development department. He has directed officials of some of the circles to start implementing the plan,” said a senior PMC officer, adding that the civic body had been asked to prepare a budget for the green drive.

The residents were happy to learn that PMC would soon start a plantation drive. “The way apartments and commercial complexes are mushrooming in the city, a plantation drive has become a necessity. I am happy that PMC has finally taken the decision to add green cover to the city,” said Binod Jha, a businessman and a resident of Boring Road.

Dayal Sharma (52), a resident of Kankerbagh, also appreciated the move.

Ashish Kumar Sinha, a resident of Boring Road, was sceptical about the drive, though. “When PMC can’t address the sanitation problem of the city, how can you expect it to conduct a plantation drive properly?” he asked.