CUTTACK: The just-concluded Durga Puja festivities have left behind a trail of garbage across the Millennium City leaving the citizens choked.Insoluble materials like wood, plastics, cloths and bamboo frame were found strewn along the river bank till late Tuesday evening.Most of the garbage was generated from temporary fast food stalls and other kiosks set up along the five km road, stretching from Ranihat to Devigada. The other garbage like flowers, corks, cardboard, bamboo plates, cloth used for decorating the idols, empty food packets, plastic bottles and polythene were found strewn on the route.
The condition of Ring Road, from Khannagar to Devigada, is precarious with heaps of garbage seen along the road near Ranihat, Mangalabag, Buxi Bazar, Choudhary Bazar and Purighat. The Devigada Ghat, where temporary ponds were set up, resembled a garbage dump. The stench emanating from unattended garbage, filth and waste materials has been protested by the commuters.According to official sources, the city has generated around 100 tonnes of additional garbage during the immersion ceremony besides 50 tonnes of garbage of extra waste from temporary ponds at Devigada, where more than 159 idols were immersed.
Ranjan Biswal, Chairman of Cuttack Municipal Corporation standing committee on public health said, a special team comprising of about 30 staff of health, sanitation and engineering section has started a special drive for removing and cleaning garbage and waste material generated in all the 59 wards with the help of three JCB machines and equal number of mini excavators. Around 35 trips of garbage have been shifted with the help of six tractors on Tuesday. Steps are being taken to expedite the garbage cleaning work and efforts are on to clear and clean the city within two days, Biswal added.