A chocked drain in Berhampur city. Picture by Gopal Krishna Reddy

Berhampur, May 17: The Berhampur Municipal Corporation (BMC) has initiated steps to clear about 450km long drains in the city by June 15.

The corporation took the decision for the drive of desiltation of the drains on Saturday. “We are determined to finish the job within the set deadline,” said municipal commissioner Bhim Manseth.

City health officer Subhakanta Das, however, said steps in this regard had already been initiated in a few wards. “We have deployed two teams comprising 11 staff each assisted by seven persons in each ward with the provision of adequate machinery,” said Das.

Out of the total 37 wards, sanitation in 15 wards has been privatised while the corporation is taking care of the rest 22 wards. “Privatisation of sanitation has helped us deploy sweepers and drain cleaners in 22 wards which resulted in reducing our burden,” said the health officer.

The city generates about 150 tonnes of garbage a day. The BMC has 759 sweepers and drain cleaners, including 371 regular and 388 casual staff. Considering the national average which states that two sweepers are required to clean and maintain half-a-km of road and drain, the civic body requires a total of 1,800 sweepers. However, the corporation is now managing the task with only 759 of them, according to sources.

As many as 35 carriers, including 15 tractors, one dredger and four loaders have been pressed into service to lift the garbage from 41 garbage collection points.

“Though there are garbage collection points, many residents tend to throw garbage of their house in the drain instead of dumping it in the roadside garbage bin. Such a kind of practice results in choking of the drains which must be avoided. Every citizen should have minimum civic sense and they should dump their garbage in the roadside bins,” said the health officer.