Kahilipara Puja committee hit by plastic bottle disposal problem

GUWAHATI: We all remember that Kahilipara Durga Puja Pandal was one of its kinds that came up with a new design entertaining thousands during the puja. The pandal was considered unique and turned into a centre of attraction for thousands for it was built using 12,000 to 13,000 plastic bottles. However, with the festivities now over, the Kahilipara Durga Puja Committee is facing hurdles to dispose off of the plastic bottles.

According to a source, the committee has been trying to dispose off of the plastic bottles contacting various individuals and organisations. However, nobody has come forward either buy or discard the bottles.

Notably, the Kahilipara puja committee bought the factory made bottles directly from Amingaon for the decoration of the pandal which cost Rs 15,000. The committee feel that the bottles could also be taken by some of the mineral water company. Individual buyers are discouraged for the superstition that the bottles used in Durga Puja celebration can’t be used in other work. While the Kahilipara Puja Committee has found a person willing to take away the plastic bottles, they are still unaware of the final fate of the bottles. Also, the committee will dispose the bottles after Diwali but may incur huge loss selling it off.

Plastic bottles are a huge problem for the environment. A large number of plastic bottles are disposed off in the rivers, lakes and barren lands which are major pollutants of the environment.

Guwahati, though a major city in the North East, lacks recycling plants. It is unplanned approach such as these that shows glaring inefficiency in the city’s administration. Puja Pandal Committee’s and their work, for the most part, continues to remain unquestioned and monitored strictly by the administration.