Latest news with #Swarnandhra–SwachhAndhra
Hans India
20-07-2025
- Health
- Hans India
People urged to cultivate simple habits for a meaningful change
Visakhapatnam: As growing plastic menace has become a serious environmental and public health concern, district administration is exploring ways to exert influence on people to switch to planet-friendly alternatives. Underlining the need to unite for a common cause and contributing to the state government's ambitious 'Swarnandhra–Swachh Andhra' campaign, Visakhapatnam District Collector MN Harendhira Prasad called upon people to avoid using plastic supplies and switch to eco-friendly alternatives. At an awareness programme organised by the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation at the RRR centre in Yendada on Saturday, he appealed to people to come together to make Visakhapatnam a plastic-free city. Speaking at the event, the District Collector stated that the state government is organising Swarnandhra–Swachh Andhra campaign across the state on the third Saturday of every month to spread awareness. He exhorted the people of Visakhapatnam to extend their support by eliminating single-use plastic from the households and adopting planet-friendly alternatives. He emphasised that single-use plastic items used on a day-to-day basis are clogging drains and causing stagnation, resulting in diseases. 'Sanitation workers are risking their lives daily to remove plastic waste from blocked drains. As plastic waste enters aquatic food chains, they not only impact marine life but also affect human health through seafood consumption, leading to several health concerns, including cancer,' Harendhira Prasad explained. As alternatives to single-use plastic, he recommended paper bags, cloth bags, jute bags, steel, glass, ceramic plates, cups, containers, and reusable water bottles. He appealed to the public to bring in a meaningful change by cultivating simple daily habits. An awareness poster highlighting the message 'let's end plastic pollution together' was released on the occasion. The awareness programme was organised in the presence of GVMC Additional Commissioners DV Ramana Murthy and SS Varma, chief medical officer ENV Naresh Kumar and ward corporator L Apparao. In recognition of Visakhapatnam's achievement of securing the first position under Safai Mitra Surakshit Shehar special category, the Collector felicitated sanitation workers and representatives of NGOs for their dedicated efforts. Stalls promoting earth-friendly products were displayed on the occasion. Cleanliness drive In order to build a healthier environment and as part of 'Swarnandhra–Swachh Andhra campaign,' Anakapalli district police initiated a cleanliness drive in the district police station, parking space, etc., Following the instructions of Anakapalli district Superintendent of Police Tuhin Sinha, Additional SP M Deva Prasad led the cleanliness drive that saw participation of police officials. 'The onus of building awareness about cleanliness and leading a plastic-free life rests on the police and it should be made a way of life,' the Additional SP emphasised. Inspectors Bala Surya Rao, Lakshmi, Anjibabu participated.
The Hindu
19-07-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Make government offices plastic-free zones, Vizag Collector tells officials
District Collector M.N. Harendhira Prasad has directed the officials to take the necessary steps to transform all government offices into plastic-free zones. The Collector on Friday conducted a video conference with the officials from various government departments, ahead of the 'Swarnandhra–Swachh Andhra' programme, which is scheduled to be conducted on July 19. During the meeting, Mr. Prasad stressed the need to gradually phase out the single-use plastic items by implementing strict practices. Highlighting the environmental damage caused by the single-use plastic, including water and air pollution, the Collector called for awareness on the issue. He urged the officials to participate with commitment in achieving a cleaner Andhra Pradesh. He said that cleanliness drives should be conducted at all government and private offices, educational institutions, temples, churches, mosques, parks, bus and railway stations, hostels, hospitals, Anganwadi centres and industrial areas on the third Saturday every month. Mr. Prasad stressed the need for maintaining cleanliness in tourist spots. Officials were instructed to submit photographs and reports related to the cleanliness activities conducted in their respective offices and areas.
Hans India
18-05-2025
- Health
- Hans India
Take measures to beat summer heat: Collector
Panyam: District Collector G Raja Kumari on Saturday called on citizens to actively participate in Swarnandhra – Swachh Andhra initiative, organised by the State government. She urged the public to engage voluntarily and intensify cleanliness activities to transform the State into a model 'Swarna Andhra Pradesh.' The Collector took part in the campaign organised at Panyam Market Yard. Several officials, including District Panchayat Officer Shiva Reddy, Tahsildar Narendra Nath Reddy, and MPDOs, were present at the event. Addressing the gathering, she stressed on the importance of public involvement in Swarnandhra – Swachh Andhra initiative. She noted that, as part of this month's theme, 'Beat the Heat' the government has advised citizens to implement measures to mitigate the effects of the summer heat. Later, she inspected a nearby sand dump and directed that the required sand be supplied to housing beneficiaries promptly to expedite the construction of homes. At the RTC bus stand, she reviewed the temporary shaded shelters set up for passengers and instructed RTC officials to coordinate efforts to increase their number wherever feasible. She further inspected the under-construction toilets at the bus stand and stressed the need to complete the work quickly to ensure facilities are available to travelers. At the health camp organised within the bus station premises, she interacted with medical staff and enquired about the services being provided to Collector also opined over maintaining cleanliness around the public cooling centers and ensuring the availability of clean drinking water. While visiting wealth-from-waste centers, she reviewed household waste collection processes and stressed the importance of segregating wet and dry waste for efficient vermi-composting. When staff requested space for temporary waste storage, she directed the Tahsildar to identify suitable land for the purpose. Later, she visited a local training center and instructed concerned officials to enhance its infrastructure and facilities for better training outcomes. Collector Rajakumari mentioned that under this month's theme, shade nets and drinking water facilities have been arranged at major traffic junctions. To combat rising temperatures, she advocated for rooftop gardening and plantation drives. She also directed officials to ensure all areas in Panyam mandal remain clean and hygienic. The programme concluded with the Collector administering the Swarnaandhra pledge to all attendees, reaffirming their commitment to a cleaner and greener Andhra Pradesh.
Hans India
18-05-2025
- General
- Hans India
Plantation drive taken up during ‘Beat the heat' prog
Tirupati: Tirupati Municipal Corporation has conducted a series of programmes on the theme 'Beat the heat' in Tirupati on Saturday as part of Swarnandhra – Swachh Andhra programme. On this occasion, plantation, distribution of ORS packets, water kisoks and arrangements to provide water to birds and animals were taken up in several localities in the city. Speaking on the occasion, Corporation Commissioner Narapureddy Mourya said following government's directions, the municipal corporation conducted various programmes on the theme of 'Beat the heat', keeping in view the summer season and create awareness among people on the precautions to be taken to get relief from the severe heat conditions. She said the corporation also took steps to create awareness to promote roof top gardens and plantation of trees in a big way for environmental protection and also to minimise heat during summer. She said people's participation is a must to make Swarnandhra – Swachh Andhra a success, which is observed on third Saturday of every month. She also wanted general public and employees not to neglect precautionary measures to be followed in summer season to avoid sunstroke. AP Urban Finance and Infrastructure Development Corporation Director Vooka Vijay Kumar, corporators Anna Anitha, Revathi, SVU Registrar Bhupati Naidu, Additional Commissioner Charan Tej Reddy, Deputy Commissioner Amaraiah, Health Officer Dr Yuva Anvesh Reddy, ME Thulasi Kumar and others were participated. Meanwhile, various government organisations also observed the programme. Police personnel placed water filled mud pots and food to birds and animals at police station in Tirupati and also across the district. At SPDCL office, as part of Swarnandhra – Swachh Andhra programme, officials took up cleanliness drive, and cleared unwanted plants and disposed waste.
Hans India
18-05-2025
- Health
- Hans India
Cleanliness is every citizen's responsibility: Health Min
Bathalapalli: Medical and Health Minister V Satya Kumar Yadav said that achieving a clean and healthy Andhra Pradesh is the responsibility of every citizen. Speaking at the grand Swarnandhra–Swachh Andhra campaign event held in Bathalapalli village of Dharmavaram constituency on Saturday, he called for collective efforts in maintaining cleanliness and public health. He took a pledge with villagers to keep their surroundings clean and urged everyone to avoid littering and take responsibility for cleanliness around their homes. He highlighted the importance of increasing greenery, eliminating plastic usage, and cleaning drainage systems in villages. Minister Yadav also stressed the government's initiative to observe every third Saturday of the month as 'Swachh Saturday' and detailed ongoing activities like garbage segregation, drainage cleaning, and tree plantation under the campaign. He appealed to citizens to actively participate alongside government officials, stating that cleanliness is not only a personal duty but also a social responsibility. He called upon everyone to make Dharmavaram constituency a model of cleanliness in the State. Following the cleanliness programme, he inaugurated a new drinking water supply project at the Bathalapalli Veterinary Hospital premises, funded by Zilla Parishad, to address potable water issues in the mandal center and nearby villages. The project includes newly drilled 15 bore wells made available for public use. Highlighting the government's commitment, Minister Yadav said providing safe drinking water to every household is a top priority. He emphasized the need for clean water for good health and explained that protected drinking water schemes are being implemented in rural areas to ensure this. The event was attended by RDO Mahesh, MPDO Narasimhanayudu, MRO Swarnalatha, ZPTC members Koti Sudha and Koti Babu, BJP Mandal President Bhaskara, local leaders including Veeranarappa Akuleti, D Cherlopalli Narayanaswamy, along with a large number of villagers and officials.
