Tirupati cleanliness drive targets Vinayaka Sagar after idol immersion
A focused cleanliness drive was launched at Vinayaka Sagar in Tirupati on Thursday under the ‘Ek Din Ek Ghanta Ek Saath’ call of ‘Swachchatha hi Seva – 2026’, days after the water body was left littered and discoloured following Vinayaka Chaturthi idol immersions. Local public representatives, civic officials and volunteers joined hands to clear debris and restore the tank’s surroundings.
Why Vinayaka Sagar was chosen
Authorities identified the Vinayaka Sagar tank for the special drive in the wake of heavy idol immersion during the recent festival, including idols made of Plaster of Paris (PoP) and painted with chemical and synthetic materials. According to officials, the resulting waste had turned the water body shabby and necessitated immediate, targeted clean-up to mitigate the post-festival impact.
Leaders and officials spearhead the effort
The event was inaugurated by Tirupati MLA Arani Srinivasulu. Joining him were Tirupati Municipal Corporation (TMC) Commissioner M. Jayakrishna, Andhra Pradesh Yadava Welfare Corporation Chairman G. Narasimha Yadav, Andhra Pradesh Greening and Beautification Corporation Chairperson M. Sugunamma, Thathayagunta Gangamma Devasthanam Chairman N. Mahesh Yadav, and TDP constituency in-charge J.B. Srinivas, among others. TDP cadre and local volunteers participated in the clean-up at the tank premises as part of the coordinated civic action.
Call for community responsibility
Reiterating the goal of a “Swacchh Tirupati,” MLA Arani Srinivasulu underscored that maintaining cleanliness is a shared responsibility. He stressed that citizens must play as crucial a role as civic administrators and sanitary workers in keeping public spaces and water bodies clean, especially after large-scale community celebrations.
Citywide Shramdan to run across all divisions
TMC Commissioner M. Jayakrishna urged residents to actively participate in the ongoing Shramdan movement being conducted from September 17 to October 17 across all 50 divisions of the municipal corporation. He called for broader public involvement to sustain the momentum of clean-up activities and to ensure that community spaces remain hygienic and usable beyond one-off drives.
What’s next
With the Shramdan campaign underway, the civic body plans continued mobilization and outreach across Tirupati’s divisions through mid-October. Officials indicated that community participation will be central to clearing festival-related waste from public places and water bodies, reinforcing the broader Swachchatha hi Seva initiative’s emphasis on citizen engagement.
Significance
The Vinayaka Sagar effort highlights the post-festival challenges faced by urban water bodies and the importance of prompt, collective action. By centering public participation alongside official measures, the drive aims to restore local ecosystems and promote sustained civic hygiene during and after major cultural events.
