Puri admin starts planning for plastic-free Rath Yatra next year

BHUBANESWAR: Rath Yatra just got over but the Puri administration has already started the process to prohibit the use of plastic water bottles during next year's festival. It has also sought suggestions from the people for a plastic-free Rath Yatra.
"Request (you) to give practical suggestions on how to ensure drinking water without plastic covers for devotees who will be competing for Jagannath Darshan and will not be able to move towards water points," tweeted Puri collector Balwant Singh.
Singh said the district administration had distributed drinking water in plastic bottles to devotees this time, and the disposal of the plastic waste was a big challenge. Sources said more than 200 tons of plastic waste had been generated between the Rath Yatra on July 4 and the Bahuda Yatra on July 12. The administration had to mobilize hundreds of sweepers, volunteers and trucks to clear the waste.
"This year, we prohibited the use of water in plastic pouches that used to be distributed among the devotees in large numbers. The water pouches would choke the drains and pollute the town," Singh said.
The collector said he had received a number of suggestions on Twitter to make the Rath Yatra plastic-free. "Some people suggested deployment of water tankers and taps. It will be hard for the people to approach the tankers. I am exploring the feasibility of biodegradable paper pouches that can contain water," Singh said.
To effectively handle the plastic waste, the district collector said an expert agency will be roped in to segregate the plastic from solid waste and crush the plastic, which can be used in road construction work. “We will sensitise big to small vendors, hoteliers and restaurateurs to reduce the use of plastic and polythene bags. Students will also be sensitised on the issue,” said Singh, who recently launched ‘Mo Beach’ cleanliness campaign on the Puri beach.