The non-descript Bhadohi is set to make waves as probably it is the first city in India where all the local public transports – autos, tempos and e-rickshaws – are fitted with hand washing units, making it mandatory for the commuters to wash hands before boarding them.
Chief Development Officer of Bhadohi, Vivek Tripathi, wrote a letter to the Limca Book of Record on July 17 to incorporate this feat in its next edition.
“Under the Swachh Bharat Mission, the scheme has been incorporated with the help of WaterAid and Gorakhpur Environment Action Group (GEAG) and autos, e-rickshaw and tempos have been fitted with hand washing units under the #washonwheels initiative so as to control the spread of coronavirus,” Tripathi said in his letter.
Dr Shishir Chandra, programme coordinator, WaterAid, said that so far washing units had been installed in 500 autos, tempos and e-rickshaws in Bhadohi city. “We will extend it to the Bhadohi district soon and install this unit in all autos across the district,” he said.
The district administration is monitoring the impact of this initiative though officials claim a drop in the number of coronavirus cases in the recent past.
“It is too early to come to a conclusion but it is sure that this helps in changing the mindset of the people. They become more aware about hand washing,” Dr Manish Dixit said.
Besides Bhadohi, a similar #washonwheels initiative has been launched in two other districts of UP – Bakshi Ka Talab (sub-urban area of Lucknow) and Chitrakoot in Bundelkhand.
