Cleanliness of Khanpur Dam starts

Officials say clean-up operation will be completed in one week at the tourist spot

HARIPUR:

To provide a befitting environment for the tourists visiting Khanpur Dam, a cleanliness campaign in and around the dam has been launched.

The one-week clean-up drive was initiated on the orders of Haripur Deputy Commissioner (DC) Muhammad Mughis Sanaullah while Khanpur Assistant Commissioner (AC) Sara Tawab Omar put in extra efforts to spruce up the site. Instructions were issued to the Town Municipal Administration officers to ensure the daily cleaning of public places and parks. Awareness-raising events have also been planned to enlist citizen’s support for the campaign.

The dam is the nearest tourist destination, near Islamabad and Rawalpindi, which is visited by many tourists, particularly in summer. Over 200,000 tourists visit this destination during festivals, especially Eid. Because of the large number of tourists, the stench from uncollected garbage around the destination was increasing constantly in the last few weeks.

The Khanpur AC visited the water reservoir yesterday and expressed indignation over the accumulated filth while also taking notice of the violation of coronavirus SOPs.

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The AC directed the TMA officials to ensure cleanliness of the site. When contacted, the TMA officials said that measures would be taken to make the clean-up operation a success. The AC said the destination is a beautiful area that is rich in natural beauty. She said the TMA officials are taking all steps within its resources to keep the area tidy. The AC said residents and tourists also need to act responsibly and throw garbage only in litter bins.

On the DC’s directives, a desk has been set up to check Covid-19 test and vaccination certificates of tourists. The necessary instructions to the concerned staff regarding the implementation of precautionary measures have been forwarded.

The Khanpur AC asked the shopkeepers to keep their shops closed on Saturday and Sunday in the light of the provincial government’s orders. She said it is the duty of all to stringently observe Covid-19 SOPs.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 7^th, 2021.