RAIPUR Mayor Meenal Choubey on Monday inspected the ongoing large-scale cleanliness drive at Maharajbandh pond, being carried out through voluntary labour by the environment-focused NGO Green Army of Raipur, in collaboration with local residents and the Municipal Corporation’s Health Department. The inspection was conducted following concerns over waterlogging and environmental damage caused by delays in the construction of a Sewage Treatment Plant near the pond.

 

During the inspection, Mayor Choubey expressed concern over negligence in project execution, pointing out that, as per the contract, the construction work was supposed to be completed by March 2024. She directed officials of Raipur Smart City Limited to expedite the pending work and ensure early completion of the project. To prevent further pollution of the pond, the mayor instructed officials to immediately install a protective mesh near the STP site adjacent to the pond.

 

This temporary arrangement will remain in place until the 3 MLD Sewage Treatment Plant at Maharajbandh becomes fully operational, ensuring that untreated sewage does not flow into the pond in the interim. Mayor Choubey appreciated the Green Army of Raipur and local residents for their sustained voluntary efforts in cleaning the pond. She said that active public participation is essential to restore and preserve the city’s water bodies, adding that collective responsibility can help make Raipur’s ponds clean and aesthetically pleasing.

 

She also instructed the concerned zonal health officer to immediately arrange for the removal of garbage collected during the cleanliness drive, which had been temporarily kept along the roadside by volunteers. Emphasising cleanliness and sanitation, the mayor directed the Zone 4 Health Officer to conduct a special cleaning campaign and speed up sanitation work around Maharajbandh pond, especially in areas affected by the ongoing STP construction. 

 

Several public representatives and officials were present during the inspection, including Zone 5 Chairman Vallabh Agarwal, Zone 6 Chairman Badri Prasad Gupta, Corporator Pramod Kumar Sahu, Raipur Smart City Limited COO Richa Chandrakar, and Zone 6 Commissioner Hitendra Yadav, executive engineers, assistant and sub-engineers, zonal health officers, former corporator Sarita Verma, and Green Army representative Amitabh Dubey, along with volunteers.

 

The inspection highlighted the need for accountability in infrastructure projects and reinforced the municipal administration’s commitment to environmental protection and timely completion of development works.