With the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) predicting above normal Southwest monsoon for Kerala, the Kottayam district administration has now directed the local self-government institutions in the district to complete pre-monsoon cleaning programme by May 20.
As per the directive, the local body secretary will bear full responsibility for ensuring the completion of pre-monsoon sanitation tasks. Immediate action must be taken to achieve total door-to-door waste collection – from all households and institutions. Efforts to sanitise public spaces, address waterlogging issues, and clear blockages in water bodies must be initiated. To accomplish this, the effectiveness of ward-level hygiene committees must be enhanced.
Households, institutions, and workplaces have also been directed to observe dry days. Source-level waste disposal activities and drain cleaning operations should also be prioritised. The involvement of various community groups, including Kudumbashree officials, ASHA activists, Haritha Karma Sena, Resident Welfare Associations, NGOs, NSS, NCC, Bharat Scouts and Guides, SPC, Youth Organisations, Youth Clubs, Traders, Industrialists, and voluntary-cultural organisations, is crucial for creating garbage-free areas through cleaning efforts.
