NMC starts cleaning Godavari of hyacinth, floating waste

NASHIK: The civic administration has started getting the Godavari river cleared of water hyacinth and other floating waste through agencies that used to do it earlier with the help of boats.
The Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) had been collecting nirmalya (pooja material) and other waste from the river through private labour organizations from January 1, 2013.However, the NMC discontinued the service in January and water hyacinth and waste has started accumulating in the river since then.
Garbage, nirmalya and water hyacinth were collected by the private agencies from Anandwalli to Ahilyabai Holkar Bridge by using boats. Two labour organisations — Harijan Majur Kaamgar Society and Mahatma Majur Sahkari Sanghatana — were given the contract for three months which was later extended. The lifted garbage was dumped by the side of the river, which used to be collected by the NMC’s garbage vans and transported to the compost plant at Vilholi. Water hyacinth was also being removed along with the garbage.
In April 2013, the NMC decided to call tenders for continuing the process on a long-term basis. But as the civic body did not receive sufficient response, it continued the private agencies
The NMC had discontinued the practice as it wanted to give it on contract basis through tenders. But with garbage and water hyacinth accumulating in the river and keeping in view the forthcoming Kumbh Mela, the NMC decided to continue the process till the tenders are called.
Deputy municipal commissioner (Godavari conservation cell) Rohidas Dorkulkar said, “We have started cleaning the river from the past few days. Water hyacinth and floating material are being lifted by the two organizations that used to clean the river earlier with the help of boats. The contract of these agencies had come to an end but we have asked them to continue. We are cleaning the river step by step. At present, cleaning is being done from Anandwalli Bridge to Ahilyabai Holkar Bridge and Ramwadi area.”
He said four boats and some labourers of the agencies were carrying out the task. “Later, we will also conduct awareness campaigns on river pollution,” Dorkulkar said.
The waste collected is dumped by the river bank and transported to the compost plant through garbage collection vans. On an average, around 1-1.5 tonnes of garbage is collected every day.