Maha Safai Abhiyan, a massive cleanliness drive, was kicked off in the capital on Friday to free Kanke Dam from watercress and other free-floating aquatic plants ahead of the festive season.

Supported by around 150 NCC cadets, social groups and local youths, Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC) will remove pollutants from the dam located near Kanke Road over the next three-four days to infuse a fresh lease of life into the water body.

Mayor Asha Lakra launched the cleanliness campaign around 7.30am in the presence of deputy mayor Sanjiv Vijaywargiya, town commissioner Prahsant Kumar and other civic officials.

Not only weeds and silt, Kanke Dam, constructed way back in 1954 and spread around 9.44 sq miles, has been afflicted by various other ills.

"Cleaning up of Kanke Dam is just the beginning. Soon, we will take up similar initiatives for all the water bodies across the city. Water bodies like Kanke Dam and Ranchi Lake draw tourists and therefore, there is a need to emphasis on their cleanliness, especially during the festivals," Lakra said after launching the drive.

The mayor and state urban development C.P. Singh had inspected Ranchi Lake and Distillery Pool last month. "Beautification work for both the two water bodies will be taken up soon. The idea is to offer filth-free water bodies to residents," she added.

Asked if the civic body would continue to clean the city's water bodies only during festivals or would ever come up with a monthly or quarterly plan, Lakra said that the water bodies should be cleaned regularly.

"I will ensure that now onwards the water bodies are cleaned every month. Local people should also act responsibly and desist from littering the lakes and their banks. We will soon plan how to prevent littering around it. I have already directed RMC officials to float a project to erect boundary walls around the ponds in the city," she added.