Rally taken out in Banaganapalle to make the town plastic-free

A massive rally was taken out in Banaganapalle in Nandyal district on Saturday under the banner of `Naa Banaganapalle – Naa Aarogyam’ (My Banaganapalle – My Health) with an aim to turn the town a plastic-free one.

A good number of youngsters, students and citizens participated in the rally raising slogans against the usage of plastic in daily life. Participating in the programme as the chief guest, Roads and Buildings Minister B.C. Janardhan Reddy said any initiative will be successful only with the participation of people. “If people voluntarily participate, any initiative by the government will achieve the desired results,’‘ he said.

The Minister said the Mandi Merchants Association have extended support to the cause and when the initiative was taken to the school level, the children have not just become part of the plastic-free initiative but also created awareness among their parents against the usage of plastic.

District Collector Rajakumari Gania said plastic can be completely eradicated only with the support of the people and when people start thinking that the village is theirs. She said the goal to eradicate plastic and also to keep the surroundings clean is not as easy as said to achieve. It requires the participation of people and also constant awareness programmes, she said.

Superintendent of Police Adhiraj Singh Rana said Banaganapalle has started witnessing a change as people have started to realise the adverse effects of using plastic.