Patna: Efforts to restore sanitation services continued across Patna on Sunday amid the ongoing strike by a section of sanitation workers, with an outsourcing agency removing two drivers from service for allegedly remaining absent from duty without prior notice and supporting the strike.
According to the Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC), the action was taken by Mauryan Cars Auto Services, the agency responsible for providing drivers for door-to-door garbage collection vehicles, after it received a warning over inadequate deployment of drivers and manpower.
Outsourcing Agency Removes Two Drivers
PMC said Mauryan Cars Auto Services terminated the services of two drivers with immediate effect. The agency alleged that the employees had remained absent from duty without prior intimation and had supported the ongoing strike.
The corporation clarified that the disciplinary action was taken by the outsourcing agency, not by the civic body.
Garbage Collection Resumes In Several Areas
The municipal administration said sanitation services have begun to improve following measures taken to maintain essential waste collection.
On Sunday morning, 26 door-to-door garbage collection vehicles were deployed across different zones to collect waste from residential and commercial areas.
According to PMC:
- Pataliputra Zone: Five vehicles operated in Wards 1, 6, 22-B and 22-C.
- Nutan Rajdhani Zone: Seven vehicles covered Wards 21 and 28.
- Bankipur Zone: Two vehicles collected waste from Bhanwar Pokhar, Birla Mandir Road and Mahboob Shah Lane in Ward 40.
- Azimabad Zone: One vehicle operated in the NMCH Road area.
- Patna City Zone: Eleven vehicles covered Wards 62, 66, 68, 71 and 72.
In the Kankarbagh Zone, morning operations were disrupted after one garbage collection vehicle developed a flat tyre.
Civic Body Continues Restoration Efforts
PMC said the resumption of morning waste collection had eased pressure on the special night-time sanitation drives launched during the strike.
The corporation said it would continue deploying additional manpower and resources to restore normal sanitation services across the city in the coming days.
Appeal To Sanitation Workers
Appealing to sanitation workers to return to duty, the civic body said it remains committed to resolving their grievances through dialogue while ensuring uninterrupted sanitation services for residents.
PMC added that sanitation workers play a crucial role in maintaining public health and urban cleanliness and reiterated its commitment to addressing their legitimate concerns while restoring normal civic services.
