Sambalpur, July 24: The civic body today launched a ward-wise cleaning drive to improve the city's sanitation.

More than 100 sanitation workers were engaged in the drive at ward No. 34 today, covering Charbhati and Kolpara.

The civic body also pressed into service two heavy earthmovers, four tractors and other machinery for the drive. The roads, drains and the dump sites were all cleaned.

"We have decided to clean one ward every Sunday. Our primary focus is to improve the sanitary condition of the slums," said municipal commissioner Bimalendu Rai.

"Local residents also took part in the drive and we will involve them in the drive every Sunday," said Rai.

"The municipal corporation is concerned with the sanitation of the slum areas. This drive will help improve their sanitation. Involving local residents in the drive will also create awareness," said the Sambalpur Municipal Corporation official.

There are 168 slums within the civic area, which is divided into 41 wards. The civic body will include all these areas under the drive in phases.

Residents have welcomed the initiative to improve the slums' sanitary condition, which had witnessed an outbreak of jaundice in 2014 and 2015, affecting more than 3,000 people.

"Poor sanitation was one of the main reasons behind the jaundice outbreak. I am happy that the civic body has finally taken steps to improve the cleanliness of the slums," said city resident Swadhin Panda.

Panda said he was also happy that residents were being included in the drive. "The corporation should also take steps to create awareness about a clean city," he said.

Earlier, the municipal corporation had launched a drive to clean the city's 120km-long drainage channel.