Attention park goers in Odisha capital! Plastic to be banned from Sept 1

Bhubaneswar: Strictly implementing the State government’s plastic ban order, the Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) decided to ban plastic in all the parks and market complexes in the city from September 1 to mark its 36th Foundation Day.

With implementation of the order, the denizens will be fined for using plastic inside parks and market complexes from next month.

“If anyone was found using plastic bottles or polythene inside parks and BDA market complexes, they will be fined. The morning walkers association and park goers association will be urged to follow the plastic ban order. The fine amount collected from people for violating the norms, will be used for development of parks,” said an official in the BDA.

As per the decision, the squads will be formed to implement the plastic ban announced by the State government.

The civic authorities decided to install the reverse vending machines in parks for collection of empty plastic bottles. To encourage the citizens to avoid using plastic, a three-day plastic collection drive will be launched on September 1 to make parks plastic-free.

With help of the NGOs, the BDA will organise ‘Information, Education and Communication’ (IEC) activities to create awareness among people on plastic hazards and its impact on the environment.

The planning officials of BDA will take care of the things that the plastic will not be used in the buildings getting plan approval.

Similarly, if a trader is found violating the ‘no plastic’ order in the BDA market complexes, action will be taken against him not allowing him to put flex banner on the shop, a source said.

To gear up the initiative to make Bhubaneswar the ‘plastic-free’ city, the development authorities also decided to ban the use of plastic in its main office.

The authorities asked its employees to bring their lunch in metal containers and carry cloth or paper bags on premises of the office.

“There will be drinking water fountains on each floor from September 1. The RO water will be available for the employees encouraging them not to use plastic bottles,” a BDA official said.

The plastic bottles will be replaced by the paper or cloth folders during meetings at the office.

The BDA officials and employees will act as ambassadors to change their homes and neighbourhood. They will sign an undertaking to make their surroundings plastic-free, the BDA said in a statement on Saturday evening.

Besides, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) will also set up plastic collection centres in the city asking the residents to deposit their plastic stuff.

Notably, the State government has announced to ban plastic and polythene from October 2 on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti.

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