'Clean Cities' during Habitat Week

COLOMBO: The special programme, clean cities will be launched in all major cities by the National Housing Development Authority in accordance with the Habitat Week from September 25 to October 2.

The Government has pronounced the week to formally implement the World Habitat Day falling on October 2 on the theme Town - the Attractive Centre of Aspirations, the Department of Government Information said in a release yesterday.

The 'Clean Cities' programme sponsored jointly by the Central Environment Authority and the National Housing Development Authority will be operated under the Urban Development and Water Supply Ministry in collaboration with the Local Government bodies.

In Colombo, Kandy, Matale, Nuwara Eliya, Kalmunai, Gampaha and Matara, new housing projects will be inaugurated, basic development activities under the existing projects will be activated and housing projects where basic facilities have been completed will be vested in the beneficiaries during the Habitat Week.

A spokesman for the National Housing Development Authority said the construction of at least 500 houses in urban areas will commence during the week, while more than 1,000 dwellers will receive title deeds of housing schemes.

Housing schemes in Maligawatta, Gunasinghepura, Manning Town, Soyzapura and Hantana are earmarked for facilities under the Habitat Week.

The National Conference of the World Habitat Day will be held at the National Youth Services Council Hall, Maharagama on October 2.