Mangaluru : The Ramakrishna Mission, Mangaluru, on Sunday helped shopkeepers dispose the waste generated in the Central Market.

“They told us of some issues they are facing with the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) and Antony Waste Handling Cell Private Limited in getting rid of the waste. We will hold meetings every week and help resolve issues. We want to help shopkeepers in maintaining the market clean,” Swami Ekagamyananda, convener of Swachh Mangaluru campaign, told.

The Central Market area generates 25 tonnes of waste daily and there are two vehicles dedicated for its disposal. Mangaluru City Corporation Deputy Commissioner Gayathri Nayak said the MCC has proposed to have a solid-waste treatment plant at Central Market.

Many volunteers took part in the cleaning exercise on Sunday to mark the end of the five-year Swachh Mangaluru campaign of the Mission.

Including Central Market area, the cleanliness drive was held in 104 places spread out at Bhavanti Street, Lower Car Street, Bunder, Ganapathi High School Road, Sharavu Temple Road, Jodumatha Road, Bibi Alabi Street, Maidan Road, City Bus Stand Road, Service Bus Stand, Town Hall, Mini-Vidhana Soudha, and Railway Station Road.

The police had barred entry of vehicles into the market on Sunday morning. As many as 20 teams worked to clear the waste around the area.

One heap of waste that was cleared was outside the meat market and the shopkeepers said the heap was there because the Antony Waste personnel allegedly refused to collect it from their shops.

After clearing the heap, volunteers broke a part of the compound wall of the meat market to facilitate easy access for the vehicle of Antony Waste.

Space was earmarked for the vehicle to stop at a corner of the meat market and it would also help collect waste generated at the adjoining vegetable market.

Speaking at a function held earlier, D. Vedavyas Kamath, MLA, said a campaign will be held for increasing green cover in the city. Swami Ekagamyananda said the Mission will move on and focus on waste processing at houses.