The DCC began the 15-day programme simultaneously in its 90 wards from April 10. The drive includes extensive cleaning of drains, pavements and streets, repairing damaged footpaths, medians and road islands, clearing illegal shops on footpaths, lanes and by-lanes and removing unwanted posters, banners and graffiti from walls.

"A big difference is visible already after the cleaners completed their job here," said Hanifa Khatun, a resident of Tikatuli. She said the area became liveable again after the filthy roads had been cleaned.

Afzal Hossain, a resident of section two in Mirpur appreciated the removal of posters and graffiti on the tree trunks and walls. "The posters and graffiti should be cleared also as they create vision pollution," he said.

The DCC has divided 90 wards into 15 operational sections and in each section 50 to 56 cleaners are working daily. Apart from DCC's 7,000 regular cleaners, 5,000 more have been employed to work during the drive everyday from 9am to 12pm.

However, most people hoped that the DCC would continue the drive. "We do not want a clean city only for fifteen days but want it forever," said Sayeedur Rahman, a schoolteacher from Badda.

DCC officials on the other hand hoped that there would be public awareness after this drive and residents would not dump garbage everywhere. "We are trying to show them that the city would remain clean if they dispose off the garbage at DCC designated spots," said Sohel Farouquie, chief conservancy officer of DCC.

Abdul Mannan, a cleaner of DCC who is working in Fuller Road, said the drive has created some awareness among people. "Before, locals used to throw garbage at dustbins rather then putting them in. That way all the rubbish used to get scattered over the roads. Sometimes garbage even flew on me while I worked inside the bin. But over the last few days, they are showing more awareness."