Prayagraj: Unsafe drinking water, unsegregated garbage, unprotected sanitation workers and encroachment on public ponds came under the scanner and civic officials across the district were directed to complete a series of corrective measures within fixed deadlines. The administration also ordered steps to improve visibility of stray cattle at night and reduce road accident risks.The directions were issued by divisional commissioner Lokesh M during a review of sanitation and civic facilities in nagar panchayats. Executive officers were asked to submit evidence of compliance, including photographs of waste collection, segregation and disposal, instead of merely reporting the status of work.All nagar panchayats of the division, ie, Prayagraj, Pratapgarh, Kaushambi and Fatehpur, have to identify garbage black spots and submit reports by Oct 2. By the morning of Oct 3, officials must provide details of door-to-door waste collection vehicles, regular garbage lifting from every ward and segregation of wet and dry waste at material recovery facilities. Reports must also cover scientific disposal, vermicompost production and its utilisation.Sanitation workers must be provided gloves, jackets and other protective equipment mandatorily. Officials were directed to ensure insurance coverage for all sanitation workers. Anti-larval spraying and fogging must be carried out to prevent mosquito-borne diseases, while drain cleaning has to be completed by Oct 8.Drinking water safety has been given a separate deadline. Executive officers will inspect overhead tanks on Oct 4 to check chlorine dosage and water quality, besides examining pipelines for damage or contamination. Photographic reports on tank inspections must be submitted the same evening, followed by a detailed pipeline report within 10 days.Encroachment on public ponds is another priority. New encroachments must be removed immediately, while older cases will be dealt with under prescribed rules. Additional district magistrates have been asked to prepare a list of nagar panchayats with a large number of ponds and submit an action schedule by Oct 6.Officials have also been directed to clear mud, silt and overgrown vegetation from main roads within three days and complete cleaning across urban areas by Oct 10. Street vendors must be provided dustbins and proper waste disposal arrangements within 15 days.Stray cattle should be shifted to safe locations wherever possible. Where necessary, reflective paint on their horns and reflective collars must be used to improve visibility at night and reduce accident risks. Regular sanitation in Kanshi Ram housing colonies and occupancy by eligible beneficiaries were also emphasised by the divisional commissioner.
