Punjab Local Government Minister Dr Inderbir Singh Nijjar on Sunday said that an effort is being made to organize the Hola Mohalla Mahotsav at Sri Anandpur Sahib, in Ropar district, from March 6 to 8 as a single-use plastic free (SUP free) and zero waste to landfill.

“About 40 lakh people are expected to attend the Hola Mohalla Mahotsav and more than 350 langars are being installed. The government’s aim is to make the state free from single use plastic, proper waste management, and achieve the goal of zero waste to landfill. To achieve this objective, wet and dry waste will be segregated from the sources place which will be composted through MRF machines and its fertilizer will be made,” said the Minister.

Dr Nijjar said that to achieve the objective of single use plastic free and zero waste landfill, the entire fair area has been divided into eight sectors by the Local Government Department. “Sanitary inspectors, teams of sewermen and sanitation workers from 14 Municipal Corporations and Municipal Councils of the State have been deployed for the purpose of cleanliness at Hola Mohalla at Sri Anandpur Sahib,” he said.

Apart from this, 200 volunteer teams of NGOs, colleges, and school students will also make an effort to educate people about not using single-use plastic and zero waste to landfill, he added.

The Minister said that different cleaning teams have been deployed at night and day which will separate dry and wet waste and compost it through MRF machines at night. On this occasion, an exhibition of remanufactured wares will also be held, he said.

Total four mechanical sweeping machines will also be used to ensure cleanliness during Sri Anandpur Sahib Hola Mohalla Mahotsav.