Puri: The district administration has decided to ban use of thermocol plates in a bid to make the upcoming Rath Yatra of Srimandir deities an eco-friendly event.
The administration has also decided to ban use of polythene bags by shopkeepers and people on the Grand Road (Badadanda) during the annual mega event. Besides, it has put restrictions on the use of water pouches from Marichikot Square to Srigundicha temple. The decisions were taken at a recently held preparatory meeting for Rath Yatra here.
“We will create awareness among people not to use polythene bags during the festival. Voluntary organisations will be asked not to serve food to devotees in thermocol plates,” said an official of the district administration. The administration, meanwhile, asked the Public Health Engineering Organisation (PHEO) to make all its water standposts alongside the Grand Road functional by July 5. Besides, authorities of all public lavatories have been asked to provide free service to people during Rath Yatra, Bahuda Yatra and Suna Besha rituals.
Presiding over the preparatory meeting, Collector Aravind Agarwal asked the municipal officials to desilt six major drains in the Pilgrim city ahead of the car festival. He also expressed displeasure over frequent waterlogging on some important roads here. “The Collector has directed the Sewerage department to take action against people who are releasing sewage to drains,” the official added.
The meeting also discussed various issues pertaining to illegal lifting of groundwater by hoteliers and lodging house owners. The Collector has directed the PHEO to seal the bore wells of 285 hoteliers who were earlier served notice in connection with illegal extraction of groundwater.
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