BMC initiative to turn market plastic-free

Bhubaneswar: The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Saturday started an initiative to make Kochilei haat in Rasulgarh area the first single-use plastic free market in the city.
The civic body has drawn up a road map for the plan and held a consultation meet with the vendors on Saturday.
“We held a meeting with the vendors association of Kochilei haat and decided to take 15 days to prepare the vendors. They have assured us to turn the market into the first one to stop use and sale of single-use plastic,” BMC mayor Sulochana Das said.
BMC officials on Saturday distributed cotton bags among vendors and customers, which carry messages on plastic ban. “We will carry out an intensive awareness campaign to achieve the objective. The market will set an example,” local corporator Kumarendra Mohapatra said.
Kochilei haat houses more than 600 permanent as well as small vendors. Over 10,000 people visit the market daily.