Pahalgam: The officials from Municipal Committee Pahalgam (MCP) waves down vehicles at toll plaza Pahalgam.
Wearing a smile, they get on the buses and cars, carrying pilgrims and other tourists to distribute compostable bags among them in exchange of the non- biodegradable plastic bags.
The gentle demeanour of the officials spur the visitors to readily exchange such bags. “Every one is cooperating with us. Our efforts are eliciting a positive a response”, said Suhail Malik, Executive Officer MCP.
He said that under Swachh Bhartat Mission Urban 2.0 a slew of measures were being taken to provide the yatris a clean and pollution free yatra.
The MCP has also erected stalls at entry gates where one could surrender the poly bags. Over the last five days, the MCS officials distributed hundreds of compostable bags among the pilgrims and tourists. The plastic bags are destroyed on the spot.
The officials also distribute pamphlets among the visitors regarding the adoption of swachh activities.
“Under the initiative of Swach Amarnath, the MCP is making unceasing efforts to ensure cleanliness and hygiene during the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra 2023”, said Malik. He said that they had installed more prefabricated toilets at multiple places and enhanced the workforce.
“We have engaged additional sanitation workers and divided them into different teams to ensure hygiene”, Malik said.
The MCP has pressed into service a fleet of 10 twin compartment vehicles to achieve 100 percent waste collection.