500 Amdavadis adopt streets!

Amdavadis appear to be quite eager to join any effort to keep the streets clean. In less than a fortnight, more than 500 people have signed up for the ‘Adopt a Street’ campaign of Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation. The campaign was started with the vision to keep city streets clean.

The project, which is a joint initiative of AMC and Rotary Clubs of Ahmedabad, was launched on June 7. In just 12 days, 506 people registered themselves to work towards a clean and green city.

“Since the inception of the project we have received 506 registrations. However, we aim to reach a target of 10,000 volunteers in the next six months and cover the entire city in next one year,” said Rajan Dalal, project chairman of ‘Adopt a Street’.

The pilot project, which has already been launched, covers the stretch from Manekbaug to Nehrunagar crossroads to Shivranjani to Shyamal crossroads.
“Under the pilot project, we have volunteers who have adopted the street and will ensure it remains clean,” said Dalal.

Talking about future plans, Dalal said that despite the impressive response, they would continue to focus on aggressively popularising the campaign. He said, “We will start working closely with social groups like laughing clubs, school children, NGOs, religious institutions etc. It will help in spreading awareness about campaign.”

Though the campaign is about cleanliness, one does not need to pick a broom or any cleaning equipment. The volunteers (registered and trained) will have to look after the cleanliness of the particular street, create awareness among residents about sanitation and also help AMC in sustainable solid waste management system in the assigned area.

The AMC and Rotary Club will issue an identity card to the registered volunteers, while a suitable place on the street will have a signboard bearing the name of the volunteers responsible for that area.

When contacted, CR Kharsan, deputy municipal commissioner for solid waste management, said: “As a civic body our job to keep the streets clean will continue. However, it will be a good help for AMC if more volunteers come forward.”

Currently, AMC looks after the cleanliness of the streets through road sweeping machines, sweepers and supervisors. There are around 13,000 street sweepers (including permanent and temporary) who sweep the streets every morning.

Interested in keeping streets clean?
To register as a volunteer for ‘Adopt a Street’ campaign, one can send SMS by typing LVAHM on
92200 92200.