‘Jal Ganga Sanvardhan Abhiyan’ launched by the Madhya Pradesh Government started in the city on Thursday with a major cleanliness drive at the banks of river Narmada. A number of public representatives, senior officials and hundreds of citizens took part in the campaign aimed at conserving water sources. The drive started from Gwarighat and other Narmada ghats, where Mayor Jagat Bahadur Singh, MLA Ashok Rohani, MLA Ajay Vishnoi along with Jabalpur Municipal Corporation Chairman Rikunj Vij and other public representatives participated in cleaning activities. Collector Raghvendra Singh, Municipal Commissioner Ramprakash Ahirwar, District Panchayat CEO Abhishek Gehlot, Additional Collector Anurag Singh also joined the drive by picking up brooms and leading the effort. Hundreds of officials and employees took part in the special campaign, sending a strong message on importance of water conservation.

 

After cleaning banks of river Narmada, they moved to the Gaur river, where further cleaning was carried out. Leaders and officials formed a human chain and took a pledge to protect water sources, keep rivers free from encroachment and maintain cleanliness. The campaign also includes plans to revive the Gaur river by removing encroachments, clearing silt and carrying out plantation along its banks. In addition, ponds and stepwells in the city will be cleaned and deepened while soak pits will be created in gardens to promote rainwater harvesting. Cleaning drives were also carried out in nearby areas around the ghats. Officials said the campaign aims to improve water conservation and ensure long term water security for the city. Senior officials including Additional Commissioner Devendra Singh Chauhan, Deputy Commissioner Sambhav Ayachi, Superintending Engineer Kamlesh Shrivastava, Executive Engineer Shailendra Mishra, Health Officer Ankita Barman were also present during the drive.