The Delhi government and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) will establish 250 collection kiosks across municipal wards in the first phase of an initiative aimed at ensuring the proper disposal of damaged idols and religious materials while reducing environmental pollution.
The initiative, led by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the MCD and Plastindia Foundation at the Delhi Secretariat on Thursday.
Under the programme, residents will be able to deposit damaged idols and worship materials at designated collection centres, where the items will be collected, segregated and sent for recycling or appropriate disposal.
Speaking on the occasion, Gupta emphasised the need to balance religious traditions with environmental protection. She urged residents to use the designated kiosks instead of dumping or immersing idols and worship materials in public spaces, along roads or in water bodies.
The Chief Minister said the initiative would help preserve religious sentiments while promoting cleanliness and preventing pollution across the national capital.
Delhi Mayor Pravesh Wahi said the collection centres would facilitate the systematic management of religious materials and help maintain cleanliness in public areas.
Under the agreement, the MCD will be responsible for operating and maintaining the kiosks, ensuring cleanliness, deploying staff and arranging the timely transportation of collected materials to authorised facilities.
Plastindia Foundation Chairman Alok Tibrewala said the organisation had developed and installed the kiosks free of cost. Of the 250 kiosks planned in the first phase, 60 have already been installed.
The event was attended by Mayor Pravesh Wahi, MCD Standing Committee Chairperson Satya Sharma, Leader of the House Jaibhagwan Yadav, Municipal Commissioner Sanjeev Khirwar and other senior officials.
Gupta appealed to Delhi residents to actively participate in the initiative by depositing damaged idols and religious materials at the designated centres, contributing to a cleaner environment while respecting religious traditions.
(ANI Inputs)
