Rasulgarh Kochilei Haat set to become Odisha’s first plastic-free market 

Maa Kochilei Haat (market) at Rasulgarh in Bhubaneswar is on the verge of becoming Odisha’s first market to be free from single-use plastic. 

The traders of the market on Saturday took a vow not to use single-use polythene. They took such a decision after a discussion with Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) Mayor Sulochana Das and other officials. 

In the first phase, the customers will be sensitised for 15 days. Punitive action will be taken against those who are found using polythene bags, thermocol plates, plastic-made ice cream spoons and other single-use plastics. 

The traders' association in collaboration with the BMC staff will carry out regular checks to see if no one is using single-use plastic materials. 

Today, BMC Mayor and other staff visited each and every shop in the market and provided them with cotton bags to encourage their customers to come with similar bags. 

“We all are aware of the harmful impact of polythene use. But we are not serious about this. After attending a workshop on bad impact of polythene organised by the BMC, we feel encouraged. We all businessmen have decided to stay away from using polythene and other single-use plastic products.  And we will translate this into action,” said secretary, Kochilei market, Pradeep Kumar Jena. 

“Earlier, apart from a central sanitation squad, each zone was provided with a sanitation squad. By this week, we have already provided two such squads to each zone. With this, each zone has three squads. These squads will carry out inspection and checking,” said Subhendu Sahu, additional commissioner of BMC. 

Expressing her pleasure, BMC Mayor said, “The businessmen of this market have set an example for others by saying ‘no’ to polythene. If we stop using polythene, the manufacturers will automatically stop manufacturing them. If all of us take such small initiatives, it will have a great impact.”