GOALPARA, Jan 24 - Goalpara town has indeed achieved a remarkable transformation to one of the cleanest towns in the State in almost a year due to the series of activities initiated under the Mukhyamantir Asomar Nirmal aru Seuj Abhijan (MANASA) by the Goalpara Municipality Board (GMB).
This significant achievement of having a clean Goalpara town was began following the massive cleanliness and awareness campaigns during the week-long Pariskar Aru Seuj Asom Khajagota Abhijan by the district administration under the then Deputy Commissioner, Preetom Saikia back in October 2014, involving the municipality officials and the local population, but the recent transformation has been largely due to the stringent implementation of the MANASA Programme by the GMB under the executive officer which was inaugurated on December 8, 2014 by the present Deputy Commissioner, JVN Subramanyam.
While talking to this correspondent, Subramanyam said that there was a remarkable turnaround after MANASA was launched along with stricter monitoring and the cleaning activities taken up early in the morning. He said that the eviction and demolition of unauthorised structures and clearing of clogged drains within the municipality area was well appreciated by the local population following which there was no recurrence of flash floods during the last monsoon season. A system for solid waste management has also been introduced by the Goalpara municipality, so also for segregation of bio degradable waste, for which an experienced NGO, ENVIRON has been engaged for a pilot project for ward No. 6 and 16. Appreciating the group efforts, Subramanyam said that to motivate them further and to recognize their hard work, which often goes unnoticed, the safai karmacharis/sweepers and other municipal workers will be felicitated on Republic Day.
Talking to this correspondent, the executive officer, GMB and Circle Officer, Balijana Revenue Circle, Dhiman Kr Choudhury said that it required a herculean effort to reinvigorate the Goalpara Municipality Board into a well-oiled machine and the widespread support of the local population provided the required impetus to the municipality staff to further improve the quality of civic services.
While the Goalpara town was given a blue look by coating with blue paint, all the business establishments and shops through a unanimous decision of its citizens, the EO of GMB said that during his short tenure, a revenue of Rs 2,04,33,992/- was generated last year through the computerised tax collection system that he introduced. While the GMB installed 170 litter/garbage bins of various sizes at prominent locations besides public places under all the 19 municipal wards, which are regularly emptied by the safai karmacharis and sweepers whose numbers have been increased from 53 to 100 from 7 am onwards daily. Twelve tricycles and most of the solid waste management equipment for the purpose have been purchased under the MANASA programme including an open drain cleaning machine. The conservancy staff have been provided with two sets of uniform and other equipment and are also covered by accident and health insurance.
He also informed that the new commercial market building which has been constructed in the heart of the town is ready for use and so also the Haseela bus terminus, while parking places for autorickshaws/tempos have been developed separately in the town. Around 70 street name plates along with 50 sodium vapour lamps, 160 CFL and 228 LEDs have also been installed in the municipality areas. To make the GMB more responsive, a public facilitation centre has been put in place, where a public grievance redressal software is also installed as part of Digital India week.
Moreover, plantation of 1,500 saplings was carried out along the roadsides during the World Environment Day on June 5 last under the Green Plantation Programme and 26,000 saplings were distributed among different households within the municipality areas to give the town a greener look. Also, for the first time, the GMB will introduce e toilets in the main market areas and so also bus Q stands at various locations, the executive officer said.
