Ahmedabad, May 31 (IANS) A large-scale cleanliness campaign will be carried out across the Sabarmati riverbed and riverfront areas from June 2 to 5 as Ahmedabad civic authorities prepare for the annual release of water into the river ahead of the monsoon season.

The drive, jointly organised by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) and the Sabarmati Riverfront Development Corporation Limited (SRFDCL), will coincide with World Environment Day on 5 June and focus on removing waste, plastic, wild vegetation and other obstructions from the riverbed while improving cleanliness along both banks of the Sabarmati.

Every year, the state government’s irrigation department releases water into the river before the onset of the monsoon.

Civic authorities said the special campaign has been planned to ensure the riverbed and adjoining riverfront stretches are cleared before that process begins.

According to the schedule announced by AMC and SRFDCL, cleaning work on June 2 will be undertaken on the western bank at the ghat behind Gandhi Ashram and in the area descending below Ashram Road.

On the eastern bank, the campaign will cover the Sample Stage Ghat and surrounding areas, including the stretch descending from Subhash Bridge Garden towards Stairway No. 8.

On June 3, teams will carry out cleaning near Ghat No. 4, the area descending from Stairway No. 23 and the stretch behind the Wadaj toilet block on the western side.

Simultaneously, work will be undertaken around Ghat No. 5, near Dadhichi Bridge, the staircase near Subhash Bridge Garden Gate No. 3, and the access route leading to the lower promenade from near the police station on the eastern bank.

The campaign will continue on June 4 around Ghat No. 5 and in the area leading to the lower promenade through Stairway No. 26 from Usmanpura Garden on the western side.

On the eastern bank, cleaning operations will focus on the vicinity of Ghat No. 7 and the lower promenade stretch accessed through Ramp No. 16 opposite Master Colony.

On the final day, June 5, workers will clean areas around Ghat No. 6 and the lower promenade reached through Stairway No. 31 via the Bata approach at Vallabhsadan Ground on the western bank.

On the eastern side, the drive will cover the area around Atal Ghat (Ghat No. 11), located between Nehru Bridge and Ellis Bridge, including the stretch leading from Atal Ghat to the lower promenade.

Appealing for public participation, Ahmedabad Mayor Hitesh Barot said: “I appeal to the city’s various social, environmental and voluntary organisations (NGOs), as well as aware citizens, to actively join this special cleanliness campaign.”

AMC said the initiative is aimed at keeping the Sabarmati River and riverfront area, one of Ahmedabad’s most prominent landmarks, clean, safe and environmentally sustainable.

The corporation added that necessary planning and coordination have been undertaken across departments to ensure the success of the campaign, while prioritising urban cleanliness, river conservation and environmental protection ahead of the monsoon.

–IANS

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