On the back of its draft plan for a clean Puducherry, the administration has come out with several improvement proposals on various fronts.
The key features of the revised plan include providing 71,420 toilets, spittoons in public places, banning plastic cups and modernising the sewerage system in urban areas at a cost of Rs.1,484 crore .
Local Administration Director P.T. Rudra Goud told The Hindu , “The plan is only conceptual. The Centre has published draft guidelines that are in being updated. The Union government is expected to release the final guidelines in a week stipulating components and the funding pattern. After receiving suggestions from the public and other stakeholders, we will release the final action plan in about three weeks.”
Aimed at achieving cent per cent coverage in toilets for households, schools and public places, the Puducherry Slum Clearance Board has plans to build 34,881 toilets in rural areas and 36,539 in urban areas at an estimated cost of Rs. 107.96 crore.
According to the plan, closed type dustbins will be provided in the Puducherry bus stand and Hotel Karthik. The existing two toilet blocks are insufficient for the bus stand users. Therefore, two more toilet blocks will be constructed and the deserted urinals will be renovated.
“Dustbins (closed type) will be provided in sufficient numbers at the alternative pillars and tea stalls in the bus stand. Spittoons are to be kept under all the pillars. Plastic cups to be banned at the tea stalls located in the bus stand,” the revised draft plan said.
Closed type dust bins will be kept at the PONLAIT retail booth located at the new bus stand. Dustbins will be provided in sufficient numbers at the railway station, wherever necessary, and at the tea stalls located on the premises. Toilet blocks have been planned in all the four corners and spittoons will be set up on every platform.
As part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, the Public Works Department has mooted a new action plan for the sewerage system in urban areas. It has proposed a sewerage project for Ariyankuppam, Villianur and Kalapet at a cost of Rs.1,484 crore. This will cover a total area of 2,780 hectare and be implemented under the financial assistance of the French Development Agency.
Likewise, a preliminary project report for providing sewerage scheme to Karaikal town has been submitted to the French Development Agencycovering 267 hectares at a cost of Rs.125 crore. The new schemes are expected to be completed in 2019.
As per action plan of the Puducherry government, all heads of offices will send circular to their staff on the Swachh Bharat mission. A monthly report, in turn, should be submitted by them by the first of every month.
The Department of Tourism has planned to provide public amenities such as toilets and washrooms at tourist spots.
