Latest news with #Vedbhusan
Time of India
05-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
SMC collects ₹3.91L in fines, seizes over 100 kg single-use plastic
1 2 Bhubaneswar: Sambalpur Municipal Corporation (SMC) has intensified its crackdown on single-use plastic users, seizing over 100 kg of banned materials and collecting Rs 3.91 lakh in penalties during the past five months According to SMC commissioner Vedbhusan, the seizures have steadily increased, with 16.5 kg confiscated in Jan followed by 27 kg in Feb, 31.7 kg in March, 12 kg in April, and 18.5 kg in May. The corresponding fines collected were Rs 59,700, Rs 124,300, Rs 45,000, Rs 89,300, and Rs 73,000 respectively. The enforcement drive, conducted jointly with the Odisha State Pollution Control Board, had a three-phase approach. "We first raided business outlets and small vendors selling single-use plastic items. The second phase involved penalising large businesses while focusing on awareness for smaller vendors," said Vedbhusan. Deputy commissioner Shankar Prasad Sahu highlighted that the corporation has also banned paper cups for tea service from April 1, citing health concerns. "The coating in these cups is carcinogenic. We're promoting alternatives like glass, steel, and clay cups," he said. In an innovative move, the SMC has partnered with a cement factory to utilize non-recyclable plastic waste as refuse-derived fuel. "We're also exploring ways to create park benches and decorative items from plastic waste," said commissioner Vedbhusan. The corporation is working with SHGs to promote plastic waste recycling and reuse, demonstrating its commitment to sustainable waste management practices. Regional officer Satyanarayan Nanda of Odisha State Pollution Control Board confirmed that joint enforcement operations will resume next week after a brief pause, emphasising continued vigilance against single-use plastic violations.
New Indian Express
28-05-2025
- Health
- New Indian Express
Steps to check jaundice ahead of Sital Sasthi in Odisha
SAMBALPUR: Ahead of the three-day Sital Sasthi festival, the Sambalpur Municipal Corporation (SMC) has assured stringent measures to prevent the repeat of last year's jaundice outbreak which was linked to contaminated water. The festival will be held from May 31 to June 2 and is expected to draw lakhs of devotees to Sambalpur Last year, the festive celebrations were marred by a jaundice outbreak traced to ice lollies made from contaminated water and sold by roadside vendors. The root cause was the city's ageing water supply pipelines passing through open drains, allowing pollutants and sewage to seep in through leakages. The outbreak was detected in late June, initially affecting Kumbharpada, Dhobapada and Pensionpada, before spreading to other localities. Over 150 people, mostly children aged 6 to 14, were affected. SMC commissioner Vedbhusan said following last year's incident, periodic inspections of ice factories and other such units are continuing to ensure quality control. One ice unit in Dhanakauda, which was sealed during the outbreak, has resumed operations after several rounds of inspections. 'We are intensifying checks. Contaminated food is being destroyed and violators penalised from time to time. Plastic ban enforcement is ongoing and will be strengthened during the festival,' he added. Food inspector Sandeep Saurav said inspections of sweet shops and food joints across the city have been carried out. 'As temporary stalls will start mushrooming in next few days, we will scale up inspections focusing on food and water quality.' Meanwhile, the Water Corporation of Odisha (WATCO) has initiated a `7 crore project to revamp the city's compromised water infrastructure. 'The tender has been awarded to four executing agencies. Work will begin shortly,' said WATCO GM Bramheswar Das.
