‘No Plastic’ Drive In Odisha Capital From Sept 1

Bhubaneswar: Paving the path for a cleaner city, the Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) has decided to ban plastic in its main office, parks and market complexes from September 1, on the occasion of its 36th Foundation Day.

Park goers will be educated on the harmful effects of plastic with the help of NGOs. “Anyone found violating the ‘no plastic’ directive will be fined. Recognised morning walkers association and park goers associations will be requested to implement the ban order and the fine collected will be used for development of the parks through these organisations,” said a BDA official.

Squads will be formed to check use of plastic and drives will be initiated inside parks and market complexes, like the three-day plastic collection drive from September 1 to clean up parks and make them plastic-free, the official further said.

Reverse vending machines will also be installed in parks for the collection of empty bottles, the official said, adding that licence of the traders found violating the directive in the market complexes will be cancelled.

The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) is also going to have plastic collection centres across the city and has requested the denizens to use it to reduce plastic burden.