Impact of Lohia Swachh Bihar Abhiyan in Bhagalpur Unpaved Kanwaria Route and Surrounding Areas Being Developed as a 'Cleanliness Model', Work in Mission Mode
Bhagalpur : Under the Bihar government's ambitious Lohia Swachh Bihar Abhiyan (LSBA), the Bhagalpur administration has resolved to script a new chapter of cleanliness along the renowned unpaved Kanwaria route stretching from Sultanganj to Deoghar and its adjoining areas. Keeping the Shravani Mela and the movement of Kanwarias in mind, war-footing operations have been launched to develop this entire route not merely as garbage-free, but as a model of cleanliness. To ensure the success of this mission, the district administration has stepped up monitoring by establishing coordination between sanitation ambassadors and local bodies.
Primary Objective of the Campaign: 'Clean Kanwaria Route, Healthy Journey'
The unpaved Kanwaria route holds special significance, where lakhs of devotees complete their journey barefoot. Ensuring cleanliness along this path constitutes both a major challenge and a significant responsibility for the administration:
Garbage-Free Pathway: Under this campaign, specialized teams have been formed to clear all types of plastics, disposables, and other waste from both sides of the unpaved Kanwaria route.
Complete Ban on Plastics: The administration has issued strict directives to curb the use of plastics around the Kanwaria route. Shops and service camps have been instructed to utilize exclusively eco-friendly materials.
Solid and Liquid Waste Management: Under the Lohia Swachh Bihar Abhiyan, solid and liquid waste management systems are being reinforced in the villages situated along the route. Designated waste collection points have been established at fixed intervals for this purpose.
Action Plan in Mission Mode: Administrative Vigilance
To translate this cleanliness campaign to the grassroots level, the district administration has formulated a three-tier action plan:
Deployment of Sanitation Workers: Sanitation workers have been deployed across the entire length of the Kanwaria route, operating in three shifts. Intensified cleaning drives are conducted particularly during nighttime when the influx of devotees subsides.
Awareness Campaigns: To educate devotees and local villagers regarding cleanliness, messages are being disseminated via hoardings, posters, and loudspeakers at various points. Citizens are urged to refrain from littering anywhere along the path.
Monitoring and Feedback: A dedicated control room has been established to monitor the campaign. Sanitation ambassadors have been deployed to submit daily reports on waste collection and sanitation upkeep to district headquarters.
Role of Local Bodies and Volunteers
This campaign relies heavily on the contributions of ordinary citizens and volunteer organizations, alongside the governmental machinery:
Cooperation from Gram Panchayats: Panchayats of villages located along the Kanwaria route have been tasked with becoming 'model villages.' Gram panchayats have been provided with additional resources for sanitation.
Responsibility of Service Camps: Various service camps operating along the route have been instructed to manage their generated waste independently. The administration has directed camp organizers to distribute dustbins.
Challenges and Solutions
Maintaining cleanliness on such a massive scale is not simple, especially when the number of devotees runs into the millions:
Challenge: During peak crowds, pathways become littered with heaps of disposable tableware and water bottles.
Solution: Addressing this, the administration has moved toward a 'Zero Waste' model. Devotees are encouraged to utilize steel utensils or leaf plates.
A senior district administration official stated, “The objective of the Lohia Swachh Bihar Abhiyan is not merely cleaning, but making cleanliness a part of our culture. Devotees from across the country and abroad visit the unpaved Kanwaria route, making its cleanliness not only our religious duty but also a matter of Bihar's image. We are confident of witnessing this route entirely garbage-free over the coming weeks.”
This initiative by the Bhagalpur district administration is undoubtedly commendable. By integrating the unpaved Kanwaria route with the Lohia Swachh Bihar Abhiyan, the environment is being protected while rendering the journey of lakhs of Shiva devotees smooth and pleasant. If sustained over time, this cleanliness mission will prove to be an ideal benchmark for other pilgrimage routes in the future. All eyes are now focused on how effective this cleanliness model proves to be during the upcoming festive season.
