Mizoram deputy chief minister Tawnluia on Friday said efforts are on to make Mizoram an “Open Defecation Free Plus State” within a short time from now.
He was speaking on the occasion of a mass cleanliness drive between Aizawl’s Phunchawng area and Lengpui airport, in which the minister has taken part.
He said that Mizoram has been already declared an “Open Defecation Free” state.
Tawnluia said that cleanliness and healthiness are inter-related and every individual has the duty to maintain its surrounding neat and clean.
He said that success in the maintenance of cleanliness starts from the family circle.
“The sense of maintaining cleanliness and orderly management of waste should be inculcated in everybody’s mind. I urged you every family, church and NGO to be part of the government’s effort to maintain a clean state,” Tawnluia said.
About 400 volunteers from several NGOs, groups and media persons took part in the cleanliness drive.
The event was witnessed by Aizawl Municipal Corporation (AMC) commissioner K. Laldingliana, Planning secretary C. Vanlalramsanga and other important officials.
According to officials, about 1.35 lakh kilogram of wastes is collected within the AMC area every day.
The AMC is operating over 156 medium motor vehicles and heavy motor vehicles to collect garbage within the capital area on daily basis, they said.
It has been estimated that Rs. 6 crores is spent every year on waste management in Aizawl.