The Haryana government will soon launch a pilot project in Gurugram to develop it as a plastic-free model city. Specific areas within the city will be identified for organizing a range of activities as part of the project.

Additional Chief Secretary for Environment, Forest, and Wildlife, Anand Mohan Sharan, held a meeting in Gurugram on Saturday to review preparations for the plastic-free pilot project. He stated that specific areas in the city will be selected for various activities under the initiative.

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During the meeting, Sharan urged officials to treat the project not merely as a government initiative but as a public movement. He said that involving citizens is key to successfully completing the campaign within the expected timeframe.

The ACS said Gurugram can become a role model by following the example of cities like Indore. He added that many NGOs have expressed interest in actively supporting the campaign.

Sharan instructed officers to utilise impactful communication methods, such as posters, short videos, jingles, social media campaigns, street plays, and community meetings, to effectively raise public awareness. He also emphasized the importance of organizing dedicated awareness programs in schools, colleges, resident welfare associations, malls, markets, corporate offices, and other public spaces. “The true success of the campaign lies in transforming public behavior,” he added, according to HT reports. 

“I call upon all the members of this House to join hands and let’s deal with air pollution with unity. Let’s not drag politics into this matter. According to experts, if polythene is buried in the ground, it takes about 400 years to decompose. Therefore, we should avoid the use of polythene," HT quoted him as saying in March.

Member Secretary of the Pollution Control Board, Sh. Pardeep Dagar; Additional Commissioner of the Municipal Corporation Gurugram, Sh. Jitender Kumar; Joint Commissioner Sh. Mahavir Prasad; along with Sh. Sumit Kumar, Sh. Vishal, and Sh. Jaiveer Yadav; Forest Conservator Sh. Subhash Yadav; and other officials were also present during the meeting.

According to officials, a joint team comprising the CM Squad, Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG), Pollution Control Board, and the Electricity Department conducted a raid on a manufacturing unit in Sarai Alawardi. During the operation, the team seized 4,160 kilograms of prohibited plastic and imposed a fine of Rs 4 lakh on the violator, as per HT reports. 

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What Is a Pilot Project?

The pilot project aims to completely eliminate single-use plastic from the city by enforcing a ban on items such as polythene bags, plastic cups, plates, spoons, straws, and similar products.