Nagpur: The ambitious special drive for cleaning of Nag, Pili, and Pora rivers in the city commenced on a massive scale on Monday. The campaign, undertaken by NMC, NIT, other Government, Semi-Government and social organisations jointly, was inaugurated at the hands of Guardian Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule at Ashok Square on Great Nag Road. The programme was also attended by Mayor Pravin Datke, MLAs Sudhakar Kohale, Vikas Kumbhare, Dr Milind Mane, MLC Anil Sole, Municipal Commissioner Shravan Hardikar, District Collector Sachin Kurve, Deputy Mayor Satish Holay, Chairman of Standing Committee Sudhir Raut, all Chairpaersons of 10 Zones, Corporators Assistant Commissioners and a large number of citizens. The clean river campaign is part of MP-Water and Environment Conservation Scheme (Sansad Jal, Paryavaran Rakshan Yojana).
Speaking on the occasion, Bawankule said that the campaigns to clean rivers and nallahs should become public movement. At the same time, citizens must take utmost care not to thrown garbage, waste and other filthy things in the rivers so that the water sources are clean. The 28-day drive commenced on Monday simultaneously in all three rivers — Nag, Pili and Pora. The drive will conclude on World Environment Day slated on June 5.
The NMC has undertaken cleaning and awareness drives at Pora river for the first time, along with Nag and Pili rivers, this year. All three rivers flow through the city. Pora and Pili rivers merge with the Nag river on city’s outskirts.
Other officials who were present on the occasion include NMC Chief Engineer Ulhas Debadwar, NIT Chief Engineer SS Gujjalwar, corporators, officials of NMC and NIT were present at the inauguration programme of rivers cleaning drive held on Nag river at Ashok square.
Similar, inauguration programme was organized at Nari Ghat on Pili river and at Narsala on Pora river. Social organizations, educational institutions, NGOs and media groups will look after awareness campaigns in these 28 days.