KATRA: Commissioner/Secretary, Housing and Urban Development Department, visited Wards 9 and 10 of the Katra Municipal Committee to take first-hand stock of sanitation concerns highlighted in a video shared by Aarvi Mandla, a Class IV student of Katra.
During the visit, the Commissioner/Secretary interacted with Aarvi, local residents, community representatives and municipal officials. Issues related to solid waste management, drainage, door-to-door waste collection, home composting, user charges and community participation in maintaining cleanliness were discussed.
The Commissioner/Secretary congratulated Aarvi for taking a constructive stand and displaying civic awareness and concern for her neighbourhood. In recognition of her initiative, she was appointed as the “Swachhata Ambassador” for the area.
The Commissioner/Secretary directed that Ward No. 9 be developed as a Model Swachhata Ward with the collaborative efforts of all stakeholders. Directions were issued for distribution of composting bins, promotion of waste segregation at source and encouragement of home composting.
The Municipal Committee was also directed to ensure last-mile door-to-door waste collection from every household and commercial establishment, along with regular collection of user charges. Special emphasis was laid on regular cleaning and desilting of drains, timely lifting of waste, elimination of vulnerable garbage points and close field-level supervision.
A sustained public-awareness campaign will also be undertaken with Aarvi as the Swachhata Ambassador to encourage students, families, shopkeepers and other stakeholders to actively participate in keeping their surroundings clean. Compliance with applicable Solid Waste Management and Swachh Bharat Mission guidelines will also be ensured.
Director Urban Local Bodies Jammu and officials of the Municipal Committee were also present during the visit.
