Clean-up act: Washing machines for dhobis

<div class="section0"><div class="Normal"><span style="" font-size:="">NEW DELHI: If Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) had its way, your neighbourhood dhobi will no longer wash dirty linen the traditional way. The corporation feels it''s high time the washerman got an electricity connection and started using washing machines.</span><br /><br /><span style="" font-size:="">It, in fact, proposes to adopt one of the largest dhobi ghats in the city on the banks of river Yamuna and turn it into a model for the rest to follow.The result: Cleaner clothes and conservation of water.</span><br /><br /><span style="" font-size:="">"We are considering the ghat opposite the Secretariat for the rehaul. Initially, we are going to begin with methods to prevent wastage of water and clean methods of washing clothes. Eventually, we will put up local treatment plants and induce the washermen to recycle the waste water generated for other purposes like gardening or in toilets," said MCD commissioner Rakesh Mehta.</span><br /><br /><span style="" font-size:="">MCD''s grand plan may seem a bit airy-fairy, but the proposal is actually part of the Yamuna Action Plan''s (YAP-II) second phase. This is one of the suggestions that the civic body has reportedly forwarded to the Centre. The Union government has made an allocation of Rs 50 crore to the MCD for implementing the projects under YAP-II, while the city as a whole has been allocated Rs 380 crore for measures to cleanse river Yamuna. </span><br /><br /><span style="" font-size:="">The corporation, however, is pitching for more funds as GIS mapping of the drainage system of the city is expected to eat up a lion''s share. "Rs 40 crore will be required only for GIS mapping. We are going to revise our expenses and approach the Centre for more funds," said a senior MCD official.</span><br /><br /><span style="" font-size:="">Among the other projects the corporation is expected to take up is the construction of decentralised water treatment systems, recycling of dairy waste so that it is not dumped into the river through stormwater drains. The collected cow dung will be used for generating gobar gas. Introduction of CNG-run crematoriums is also part of the plan.</span><br /><br /><span style="" font-size:="">The MCD had faced some flak for not being able to effectively implement YAP-I under which it was expected to build 1,150 community toilet complexes (CTCs) and induce those living in slums and unauthorised colonies to use them and not defecate in the open. The move was aimed at reducing coliform levels in the river water. </span><br /><br /><span style="" font-size:="">The MCD, however, was able to build only about 900, many of which lie unused due to the agency''s failure to generate awareness and motivate users.</span></div> </div>