During the drive from April 10 to 24, the main roads of the capital were cleaned up, but the footpaths of many roads in old parts of the city were left with piled up rubbish and filthy solid wastes.

The garbage collectors collected rubbish from many lanes and by-lanes only once in the last 10 to 15 days, alleged the local people.

During a visit to some parts of the capital marking the ending of the special drive, this correspondent found waste, construction materials and rubbish on the footpaths and roads. The areas included Jatrabari intersection, opposite to Sayedabad bus terminal, Mugdah, Maniknagar, Basabo, Malibagh rail gate, Kakrail road, Paltan-Bijoynagar road, Paribagh and Dhanmondi road No- 7/A and 8/A.

Residents of those areas said their roads and waste bins were cleaned only one day in the last 15 days.

Waste materials were found dumped on the footpaths at Mugdah, Maniknagar, Gopibagh and Basabo areas.

Domestic waste was kept outside the bins at Sayedabad, Paribagh and Malibagh littering the main roads.

At Kazi Alauddin road in the old city, piled up wastes were found at around 1.45pm. On inquiry, the locals said the DCC's cleaners did not visit the area in last seven days.

M Rafiq, a trader of the locality, said, " The piled up waste is here for the last one week creating impediment to traffic movement. The cleaners come here once in a week. "

Similar condition was prevailing at Tanti Bazar, Shankhari Bazar, Bangsal and Laxmi Bazar where domestic waste and garbage were found dumped in the corner of the houses and shops.

City Mayor Sadeque Hossain Khoka yesterday visited several areas adjacent to Mirpur Section No-11 to mark the ending of the drive.

He walked along the road from Purabi cinema hall to Pallabi crossing in a procession comprising ward commissioners and local elite.

The mayor said although the special drive has come to an end, the cleanliness drive would continue.

He also reiterated that henceforth the last Friday of every month will be observed as the day for special cleanliness drive.

The mayor launched the drive on April 9 in its 90 wards saying that the city's footpaths, roadside surface drains, date expired banners, posters and graffiti would be removed.

Apart from its regular 7,000 cleaners, the DCC hired 5,000 more cleaners for the drive at a cost of Tk 41 lakh.

"The drive has made some progress in cleaning the city in terms of sweeping the footpaths but waste collection was not managed properly. Besides posters and graffiti were also not removed," said Harun-ur-Rashid, a citizen of Mirpur.

"If the DCC authorities actively inspect the work of cleaners and waste collectors making them accountable for their respective jobs, the situation is bound to improve," he added.