The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has recently launched an initiative to transform Kochilei haat in the Rasulgarh area into the city’s first market free of single-use plastic. In order to implement this plan, the civic body has devised a roadmap and conducted a consultation meeting with the vendors.
“We recently met with the vendors association of Kochilei haat and agreed to give them 15 days to prepare. They have given us their assurance to eliminate the use and sale of single-use plastic, making this market the first of its kind,” stated BMC mayor Sulochana Das.
As part of the initiative, BMC officials have distributed cotton bags, carrying messages about the plastic ban, to vendors and customers. Furthermore, an intensive awareness campaign will be conducted to achieve the objective of a plastic-free market. Local corporator Kumarendra Mohapatra emphasized the significance of this initiative, stating that the market will serve as an exemplary model.
Kochilei haat accommodates more than 600 permanent and small-scale vendors, attracting over 10,000 visitors daily.