Cleanliness drive for streams

NIRMAL MANGAR
Gangtok, Aug. 2: The Gangtok Municipal Corporation has launched a cleanliness drive for 50-odd jhoras, or streams, in its 15 wards from today.

According to D. Anandan, the district collectorate (East), the disaster management unit under the land revenue department has given Rs 26 lakh to the civic body for the drive.

“An amount of Rs 30,000 has been given to each ward and it (the money) would be enhanced later,” said a source in the GMC.

More than 100 workers have been deployed to clear the choked streams across the town.

Mayor K.N. Topgay said closed-circuit cameras would be installed around the jhoras to capture images of those who dump waste in them. He added that five camera traps have already been installed.

“All jhoras are prone to landslides and they are being used as garbage dumping spots. The cameras would be placed in unnoticeable locations and would be monitored by the local committees (headed by ward councillors),” Topgay said. “The minimum fine is Rs 5,000,” said the Mayor.