The five-day ‘Swachh Sabarmati Maha Abhiyan’ was kicked off on Wednesday

AHMEDABAD: A two-hour cleaning operation on the first day of the Sabarmati cleaning campaign removed 35 tonnes of garbage from Sabarmati river. Around 40% of the garbage was plastic bags. Other common polluting articles found included chunri, coconut and even burnt wood used in religious rites apart from gutka pouches and masala wrapper polythene.

The five-day ‘Swachh Sabarmati Maha Abhiyan’ was kicked off on Wednesday by chief minister Vijay Rupani. A large number of people took part in the campaign. On the first day of the campaign the river was cleaned on both banks on the stretch from Dadhichi Bridge to Gandhi Bridge.

Muncipal commissioner Vijay Nehra said, “This Maha Abhiyan that started today will continue till June 9.” He said that more than 15 thousand people from the state had joined in the drive and expressed his commitment to keep the river clean.

Director of solid waste department, Harshad Solanki, said that in all, around 35 tonnes of garbage was removed from the river on Wednesday. He said that around 40% of the material removed was plastic bags. Apart from the bags, used clothes of idols, chunri, coconut and even half burnt wood were recovered.

Rupani said that, “Our rivers are getting polluted; we need to prioritize planting of trees, including the protection of rivers and environment protection. Many leading organizations including Gujarat University, Ahmedabad Education Society, Times of India, Cantonment Board, Airport Authority, GIDC Estate, Highway Authority and Railway have supported in this massive campaign.”

Rupani said cties across the state will get inspiration from such campaigns in Ahmedabad. “The problems of environment have become a challenge for us, and so Gujarat has taken up such Campaigns to fight against pollution,” he said.

