Delhi civic bodies striving to be free of single-use plastic

In the period leading up to the commemoration of Mahatma Gandhi birth anniversary on October 2, civic agencies in capital have set eyes on reducing single use plastic and various programs have been organised in this regard throughout Delhi at school, university and resident welfare association (RWA) levels.

Local authorities have also issued orders to the task forces to book offenders on usage of thermoplastic.

The South Delhi Municipal Corporation recently imposed a hefty fine of Rs 50,000 to an individual for allegedly using thermoplastic to serve food in a community feast in South Delhi's Bhajanpur area.

The civic bodies are, however, focusing more on motivating people to give up using single-use plastic items. Various awareness camps are being organised by the three civic bodies in schools, universities and RWAs in their jurisdiction.

The North Delhi Municipal Corporation, which is the largest civic body in the city in terms of size, carried out a special campaign at major locations, including the Daulat Ram college and Gandhi Study Circle.

During the campaign, MCD officials informed students about the harmful effects of single-use plastic and conducted an oath taking ceremony, where students took a pledge to never use these articles.

The smallest civic body in the capital in term of size, East Delhi Municipal Corporation, has also announced a special campaign to curb single-use plastic. It has launched the "My 10 kg plastic" campaign, which would aim at reducing plastic waste from the localities.

The South Delhi Municipal Corporation's efforts have already started to show results as four schools in the are have been declared plastic-free, including DPS Vasant Kunj. Two universities have also decided to become plastic free -- the National Law University and the3 Indira Gandhi Open University.

Besides the Select City Mall at Saket, SDA market, the Gautam Nagar and Tagore Garden fruit and vegetable markets, Harinagar D Block market, Nangal Raya flyover market and the Punjabi Bagh fruit market have also been declared plastic-free, the civic body said.

At least 1,378 big rallies have been organised, including 380 in the central zone under the South Delhi Municipal Corporation, to raise awareness about the threats posed by plastic.IANS