Ranchi Municipal Corporation's Urgent Action Plan for Cleanliness Ahead of Durga Puja

Ranchi: A surprise inspection by Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC) on Sunday exposed broken garbage trucks, unhygienic public toilets, encroachments near the pandal routes and poor upkeep of vending zones and parks, prompting urgent directives ahead of Durga Puja.At Harmu’s mini transfer station (MTS), several waste collection vehicles were lying defunct, raising the risk of disruptions in daily garbage lifting. Officials were told to repair them immediately and scrap condemned trucks through auction. The administrator also pointed out that transfer stations must be maintained as clean, organised premises rather than dumping yards, with space for beautification and secondary waste collection.Public toilets at different sites were found in unsatisfactory condition. Some lacked proper cleaning schedules, while others were partly unusable. RMC has ordered that hygiene standards be raised and QR codes be placed at every facility so that citizens can register complaints online. “Public toilets are linked to dignity and health. We cannot afford neglect here,” administrator Sushant Gaurav said.Preparations at pandals were another area of concern. At Harmu Panch Mandir, encroachments on the approach road were flagged for immediate removal. Open drains without slabs and garbage heaps near several pandal sites were identified as safety hazards. At Bakri Bazaar, uneven roads, scattered debris and scrap vehicles at the adjoining store drew sharp orders for levelling, paving and clearance. Special cleaning drives will now be undertaken in all pandal areas.Inspections at vending hubs revealed daily sanitation gaps and a lack of basic facilities. At the distillery vegetable market, RMC ordered placement of dustbins, provision of drinking water and improvement of lighting. Vivekananda Park was found without adequate illumination; a vending zone proposal has been sought for the site.Officials also stressed that pandals, markets and public spaces must be safe and accessible for visitors during the festive season. Residents, too, have been urged to segregate waste at source and avoid littering, with violators facing fines.