Ranpur: Despite spending lakhs of rupees for cleaning purposes, garbage has been piling up in roads, lanes and bylanes of Ranpur Notified Area Council (NAC) in Nayagarh district, reports said.
Ranpur NAC comprises of 15 wards and has 42 sweepers to clean the roads and lanes in these wards.
The monthly expenses for scavenging rose to Rs 4 lakh from the previous amount of Rs 3 lakh, but the cleaning activities are still not proper.
Some local residents alleged that the money is being siphoned off by some NAC staff.
Corroborating the people’s allegation, a councillor, who doesn’t want to reveal his identity, said, ‘The number of sweepers actually engaged in daily sweeping is far less than the number marked in the rooster. The money is being misappropriated by some unscrupulous NAC staff and political leaders.’
Panchu Dola festival was celebrated with a lot pomp and gaiety Tuesday. But the garbage piles have virtually marred the festive mood.
“Panchu Dola festival is celebrated in a big way here. People from nearby areas and districts visit the festival here. Our relatives also come to enjoy the festival. But this year, the NAC authority seems not concerned as it used to be in the past,” local residents alleged.
Some others said that the area is stinking because the garbage has not been lifted for some days.
Though there are dustbins at different nook and corners of roads and wards, they are bleeding litter.
A specific garbage lifting vehicle is seen parked in the locality for months.
The residents also complained that they are not getting their quota of drinking water.
NAC executive officer Archana Nayak said, “42 sweepers have been engaged though contractors. But as we have only one tractor for the purpose of lifting the garbage, the work might not be up to the mark. The addition of another tractor can improve the situation.”
PNN