Koraput: In an environment friendly measure, the administration in Odisha's Koraput district has decided to ban the use of water pouches and polythene carry bags of thickness less than 40 microns during the coming Rath Yatra in the town.
Thousands of people, including tribals from neighbouring villages, throng Koraput during the annual festival. They often dispose empty water pouches and polythene bags in the open, polluting the environment.
"Shop-keepers have been asked to cooperate with the administration to make Rath Yatra of Koraput polythene free," said Koraput district Collector, Jaya Kumar V.
Priced at a nominal rate of Re 1 and sold openly at different locations across the town, water pouches make the consumers vulnerable to water-borne diseases.
In a bid to make quick buck during festivals manufacturers often fill tap water and sell them.
"These pouches do not have the authentic address of manufacturers nor do these conform to safety standards. Apart from polluting the environment and chocking drains, water pouches put the health of consumers at stake as there is no guarantee on the quality of water," the collector said.
A team of officials had been formed to ensure that water pouches are not sold in the town, he added.