VARANASI: Varanasi Municipal Corporation (VMC) is planning to utilise poly bags and harmful plastic wastes in the construction of roads. Although the implementation of complete ban on poly bags in city imposed by VMC from January 01 is least visible, VMC has come up with another idea to get rid of plastic wastes and polythene bags and is in talks with some private players to set up a plastic recycle plant in the city.

According to municipal commissioner, RP Singh, the plastic recycler will melt the poly bags and plastic wastes. The melted product can be used to make a number of articles. The best use of the melted plastic will be in the construction of roads. The plastic coated concrete when exposed to rains does not get damage and last long. Such roads can survive for more than six years without any damage caused by rains, he said."Presently the plan is being discussed with the engineers who are interested to install the plant in the city. The land for the plant will be provided by VMC. Once operational, the melted plastic can also be purchased by industrialists, entrepreneurs and workshops and anyone who need recycled plastic for making various other plastic articles," he added further.

On the other hand the cheap poly bags are being circulated fearlessly in markets despite the ban imposed by VMC. In fact the Vishwanath gullie and areas of ghats, which were identified as priority area by VMC in controlling the circulation of poly bags are witnessing rampant use of poly bags by local, shopkeepers and even devotees who are coming in large numbers to the city to offer prayers at Kashi Vishwanath temple after attending Maha Kumbh in Allahabad. Interestingly, most of the shopkeepers and vendors selling flowers, devotional articles and edibles are not aware of any kind of ban imposed on plastic bags.

"The customer do not bring their own bags, moreover once the customer takes away the item, the plastic bag also goes with him, hence the area here is not littered with plastic," wondered Babloo, a vendor selling house hold accessories on Dashaswamedh road. At the same time, there are many shops on the stairs of Dashaswamedh ghat, which are aware of the ban but they are keeping the poly bags and supplying when demanded by customers. Manoj, a shopkeeper selling devotional articles at Sheetla ghat said,"If we do not provide plastic bags the customer goes away, therefore, we have to cater them in such cases."

On the other hand, according to Singh, the plastic bags are entirely banned in Vishwanath gullie premises. The announcements are being made constantly. However, the ban is yet to be implemented strongly in other areas. Recently nine people were caught circulating poly bags near ghats. VMC is mulling ways to enforce the proper implementation of the ban imposed on plastic bags.

VMC to install dustbins at ghats: In view of keeping the ghats clean and clutter free, Varanasi Municipal Corporation (VMC) is going to install fixed dust bins at all the 84 ghats of the city.

While talking to TOI, municipal commissioner, RP Singh said that the orders for the dust bins have already been done. While each ghat will have one dust bin, as many as four dust bins will be installed at crowded ghats like Dashaswamedh ghat, Sheetla ghat, Rajendra Prasad ghat, Manikarnika ghat, Panchganga ghat, Asi ghat and others. According to Singh, the dust bins will be balanced on a stand and can be rotated to empty the load. The work will start in March end.