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The Hindu
2 days ago
- General
- The Hindu
VMC Commissioner calls for stricter ban on single-use plastic
Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC) Commissioner Dhyanachandra H.M. on Saturday said that it is a matter of pride that Vijayawada secured fourth place in the 10 lakh+ population category as the Swachh Super League city, out of 4,589 cities that participated in the Swachh Survekshan-2024 survey. Speaking at 'Swachh Andhra – Swarna Andhra' programme in Satyanarayanapuram on Saturday (July 19), he said that the award belongs to people, sanitation workers, officials who contributed to maintain cleanliness in the city. He also called for a ban on single-use plastics of less than 120 microns. 'Starting from government offices, schools, colleges, a mandatory plastic ban should be implemented with the cooperation of the people and business organisations. There should also be awareness among people about ill-effects of plastic,' he said. Explaining the effects of single-use plastic, the Commissioner said that it causes health problems for not only human beings but also for aquatic animals. It takes about 400 years for a plastic cover to decompose. He encouraged people to use jute or cloth bags instead. About 1,170 kg of seized plastic was displayed during the programme. Fines have been introduced for a stricter implementation of the ban, the Commissioner said. Later, the Commissioner handed over cloth bags to those who gave away plastic at a counter specially set up for this programme. Later, school students participated in a rally to plant saplings to reduce pollution and create awareness among the people about the ban on single-use plastic. Meanwhile, at a press conference, Mayor Rayana Bhagyalakshmi lauded the efforts of people and sanitation workers in getting an award for the city. She said that it was a first time that the city received an award in the category of cities having population of more than 10 lakh. The first three spots went to Indore, Surat and Navi Mumbai, and Vijayawada has secured the fourth, she said, expressing happiness. Ms. Bhagyalakshmi recalled that this is the second time, first being in 2021, that she received an award from the President. The city has also received an award in the 'Garbage Free City' category. Deputy Mayor Bellam Durga, Sailaja Reddy and YSRCP Floor Leader Venkata Satyanarayana were also present at the press meeting.
The Hindu
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
City receives top award for cleanliness despite 2024 floods
Vijayawada Municipal Corporation(VMC) Commissioner H.M. Dhyanachandra, Mayor Rayana Bhagyalakshmi accompanied by Minister for Municipal Administration and Urban Development (MAUD) P. Narayana, in receiving the 'Super Swachh League' award from President Droupadi Murmu at a ceremony in New Delhi on Thursday. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Narayana said: 'It is a matter of pride that the city has secured the fourth place in the population category of more than 10 lakh, after Indore, Surat and Navi Mumbai. Receiving the 'Garbage Free City' award, with a seven-star rating, is another feather in the cap.' Ms. Rayana Bhagyalakshmi said it is the second time after 2021, that she received an award from the President. She expressed her gratitude to everyone who contributed to keeping the city clean. Mr. Dhyanachandra explained that a city has to perform consistently well in Swachh Survekshan Rankings to be eligible for the 'Super Swachh League' award. The award is presented to those cities that remained in the top three positions at least once in the last three years, and the city should be in the top 20 positions till 2024. Acknowledging the role of former Commissioners V. Prasanna Venkatesh and Swapnil Dinkar Pundkar, Mr. Dhyanachandra said: 'Despite the September 2024 floods, the city bounced back to normalcy and went on to win the award.' He thanked Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Mr. Narayana, officials, sanitation workers for their contribution in bringing Vijayawada back on tracks.
Hans India
13-07-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Vijayawada selected for Super Swachhata League
Vijayawada: Mayor Rayana Bhagyalakshmi and Commissioner Dhayanachandra HM, in a press release on Saturday, stated that Vijayawada Municipal Corporation has been selected for Super Swachhata League under Swachh Survekshan 2024. Mayor Bhagyalakshmi informed that on President Droupadi Murmu will be presenting the award at a programme in New Delhi's Vigyan Bhavan on July 17. She thanked citizens, sanitation workers, and staff—the key contributors to this success. Commissioner Dhayanachandra HM emphasised that it is a matter of great pride that Vijayawada was selected for Super Swachhata League in the very first year of its introduction under Swachh Survekshan 2024. He expressed deep pride in Vijayawada joining the league alongside Indore, Navi Mumbai, and Surat. He stated that the award belongs to every citizen, sanitation worker, and participant of the Swachh Survekshan initiative in the city. Despite facing the severe Budameru floods in 2024, Vijayawada not only sustained its standings among top-performing cities but also secured this position in Swachh Survekshan—a truly remarkable achievement. During the disaster, with the support of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, MA&UD Minister P Narayana, principal secretary S Suresh Kumar, DMA P Sampath Kumar, MD Swachh Andhra Corporation as well as over 10,000 sanitation workers, 200+ officials, and more than 32 IAS officers, the city effectively managed flood-related waste and sanitation issues. This concerted effort not only saved Vijayawada from major setbacks but also led to national recognition.
