By The Hindu Bureau

Copyright thehindu

The government is trying innovative ways to make Andhra Pradesh a “dumping yard-free State,” and people have do their bit by cooperating with the authorities to make Swachh Andhra – Swachh Bharat a reality, Minister for Municipal Administration and Urban Development (MA&UD) P. Narayana has said.

Speaking at the ‘Swachhta Hi Seva’ programme, at K.P. Nagar in Vijayawada on Wednesday (September 17), Mr. Narayana said the programme would be held in a grand manner across the country up to October 2.

Ban on plastic

“Innovative programmes are being organised to achieve the goals of waste management and keeping our environment clean and green,” the Minister said, adding that as a first step towards a plastic-free lifestyle, plastic bottles at the Secretariat and offices of Heads of Departments had been replaced with alternative ones. A similar step would be followed at all the Collectorates from October 2, he said.

Mr. Narayana announced that tenders would be called for Amrut-2.0 soon and that the government would work towards ensuring safe drinking water to every household through taps in the next two years.

Despite a huge debt around ₹10 lakh crore left behind by the previous YSRCP government, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu continued to implement the promises made to the people during elections, the Minister said.

Legacy garbage

Continuing his tirade against the YSRCP government, Mr. Narayana said, when the TDP-led NDA government came to power, they found that the 85 lakh tonnes of garbage had been left uncleared. Following instructions from the Chief Minister, so far, 83 lakh tonnes of garbage was cleared and the remaining would be cleared in the next few days, he added.

Announcing the establishment of six waste-to-energy centres in the State, the Minister assured the public that the government would work towards making roads clean, providing safe drinking water, and putting in place a good solid and liquid waste management system in the urban areas.

Swachh Andhra Corporation Chairman K. Pattabhiram, MA&UD Principal Secretary S. Suresh Kumar, NTR District Collector G. Lakshmisha, Swachh Andhra Corporation Managing Director B. Anil Kumar Reddy, and Vijayawada Municipal Corporation Commissioner Dhyanachandra H.M. were present.