BHUBANESWAR: The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has decided to levy charges on commercial establishments and petty vendors who use polythene bags. The Corporation will collect `4,000 from consumer outlets who use plastic bags above 50 microns (micrometre).
This decision was taken during a BMC meeting held here on Friday. A plastic shredding plant will be set up at the solid waste temporary transit station (near Sainik School) at a cost of `1.40 crore. While 35 per cent of the cost will be sourced from the Swachh Bharat Mission fund, rest will be borne by BMC, said sources.
In another development, BMC has decided to waive charges for smart card holders at water ATMs installed in different locations of the City. While 30 paise is charged for one litre of water, users with a smart (Water ATM) card can avail it free of cost. Denizens without cards will have to use coins to get water.
The Tourism and Culture Department will take up beautification and illumination of significant locations around the city. The department will begin with street lighting in stretches between Fire Station and Airport squares, City Women's College and Gandamunda and from Airport to Nandankanan.
While the department will bear the expenses of the project, the work will be executed by the electrical wing of BMC, Tourism and Culture Minister Ashok Panda said.