Hardikar uses social media to stop open defecation

Hardikar uses social media to stop open defecation

Pune: Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Commissioner Shravan Hardikar is using social media extensively to spread the word and get maximum support of citizens to stop open defecation (OD).

Hardikar on Monday issued an audio message on social media platforms appealing to citizens to report incidents of open defecation from their areas on PCMC’s SARATHI helpline. Hardikar said health department officials will immediately take appropriate action.   

PCMC Joint Commissioner and in-charge of Swachh Bharat Mission Dilip Gawade said, “We identified the OD spots in the city six months ago and chalked out a plan for getting rid of this practice. We have formed good morning and good evening squads to ensure that not a single incident of open defecation takes place.  The Quality Council of India is likely to certify the city in Swachh Survekshan 2018. But even before that, we are trying to declare city open defecation-free as per State government directives.”

The PCMC has constructed individual toilets, community toilets and public toilets in large numbers. Portable toilets have been provided in vulnerable areas. Health workers have been deployed to prevent people from going out for answering nature’s calls.

Massive cleanliness drive
A large number of people, including political leaders and their supporters and PCMC health workers, are participating in cleanliness drives from September 15 to October 2. 32 prime spots have been identified which include hospitals, gardens, memorials, lakes, bus stations and traffic junctions.

First auto-clean toilet takes off
The PCMC has installed the first auto-clean toilet block in association with a private company at Lokmanya Tilak Chowk in Pimpri. This toilet will be run on pay and use basis with a charge of Rs 5 for each use. Users will get entry only with a Rs 5 coin at the entrance. The cleaning will be done automatically. The facility was inaugurated by Chinchwad MLA Laxman Jagtap on Monday.

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