New Darj rules to keep town clean

SNS, 29 January 2019, Darjeeling: The Darjeeling Municipality is all set to implement a new set of Municipality rules in the area to lessen the use of plastics, while also making Darjeeling a cleaner place.

This decision was taken after an awareness and interaction programme on plastics organised by the Municipality at the Capitol Hall here today, where the president and vice-president of different Samaj (committees) of the 32 wards were present, along with representatives of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration, Swach Bharat Abhiyan, Gorkha Jan Mukti Morcha town committee and some NGOs.

'We adopted different resolutions today like thermocol plates plastic spoons and cups will not be allowed in the town after 15 days. We will also write to shops selling these things.We will also raid markets and go checking after 15 days," Darjeeling Municipality chairperson Prativa Rai said.

'Apart from that, 200 ml water bottles have also been banned as it creates plastic garbage and it is in maximum use, 1. We cannot ban everything at once as plastic has become a part of people' s life, but we should start somewhere. Moreover, we have also submitted a proposal of water

ATMs to be started in Darjeeling so utilization of mineral water bottles is further reduced. The proposal is part of the Comprehensive Development Plan which has been submitted by the committee headed by the MLA here." she added.

According to her, they were also declaring Tiger Hill about 8 km from here, as a 'plastic-free zone' from today onwards and would take steps to supervise and monitor the same. Also declared today was the beautification of Ladenla Road are and making it a 'horn-free zone.'

It is the responsibility of all to keep the town area clean and not throw garbage everywhere.The Municipality does have the responsibility of garbage collection and cleaning the town area, but it is not possible without the cooperation of the people. After we clean and collect garbage, more is dumped after some while, which should be stopped, and I appeal to all people in this regard. Moreover, apart from the door-to door collection of garbage, we will also be starting a mobile collection van, which will be responsible for collecting garbage the whole day through,' she said.

The Municipality chairperson maintained that they will also send appeal letters to all the wards in the decisions taken today, 'if they do not follow them, they would be also forced to impose fines."