Senthil Kumar
Port Blair, Mar 5: Launched with much fanfare, the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan has failed to make a major impact in Rangat, Middle Andaman. PRI members of the area reportedly focus mostly on main road side tidiness, while interior pockets plagued by clogged sewers and garbage are left unattended. To add to the woes of the populace, the PRI body and the APWD simply pass on the buck to each other of the dismal state of affairs in the rural areas.
“The Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan has become ‘symbolic’ for the government agencies here. Officials wielding brooms use the drive as a photo-op and get their photographs published in local newspapers for hype. The entire official machinery has failed to capitalize on the potential of the project, instead remains focussed on cleanliness of main road stretches. Cleanliness should be integral to every nook and corner of this territory. But sadly, the PRIs have made no efforts to clear clogged sewers and remove garbage from the interior regions of Rangat,” alleged some residents of Rangat.
When contacted, the Rangat Panchayat members claimed that the APWD is responsible for cleaning of major sewer systems in the region. “Small drainage networks under the Panchayat are properly maintained. However, the APWD has not taken proper action for maintenance of the larger drainage system,” they claimed.
Differing on the stand of the Panchayat, the Assistant Engineer, APWD Rangat said that the agency is mandated to clear soil deposits in the main sewer network due to rains. “APWD is, however, not responsible for clearing clogged drains due to garbage dumping. The maintenance and garbage disposal works is entrusted to the Panchayat authorities. Instead of executing their duties, they are simply passing on the buck to APWD,” the Assistant Engineer asserted.
