MP Preneet kicks off drive to make city plastic-free

Tribune News Service

Patiala, July 13

To make Patiala plastic-free city, the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) in association with the Municipal Corporation today launched a clean-up drive ‘Swachhta Shramdaan’.

The PPCB officials and people from different walks of life collected polythene and waste material from Badi-Nadi bridge on the Patiala- Chandigarh road.

As many as 300 students from Government Multipurpose School and the MC sanitation workers along with Mayor Sanjeev Sharma Bittu took part in the drive.

PRTC chairman KK Sharma and Principal Government Multipurpose School Tota Singh also participated in the event.

The drive was flagged off by the Patiala MP, Preneet Kaur. However, she could not participate in the drive as she fainted during the event and left the venue.

Sharma appealed residents to make Patiala plastic-free city. He said the city shown a marked improvement, over the last one year, as per the cleanliness survey ‘Swachh Survekshan’ conducted the Central Government.

He said, “From 419th rank in 2018, Patiala ranked 70th in 2019. I want the city in top 10. Community participation is the only way to make Patiala a plastic-free city.”

PPCB chairman Satwinder Singh Marwaha said citizens should make Patiala a plastic-free city to commemorate 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev. 

While addressing school kids, he said, “Children can play a major role in spreading awareness about harmful effects of plastic. They should deter their family members from littering plastic on roads and streets.”