Shun plastic, use jute bags as a substitute: Yogi

In a bid to make India ‘plastic-free’, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath appealed to the people to use jute bags as a substitute, saying it would lead to a healthy way of life as plastic and polythene were the cause of diseases and could even cause cancer.

“Polythene and plastics are the main cause of pollution and environmental hazards, hence people should avoid their use,” Yogi said on the second and concluding day of his visit to Chitrakoot on Saturday.

Earlier, at a function, the Chief Minister distributed jute bags to gram pradhans and women and encouraged them to make the district plastic-free.

He also exhorted the people to refrain from the use of pan, gutka and khaini which were carcinogenic. He directed officials to ban these tobacco products on Parikrama road.

The officials were also asked to remove illegal hoardings across the town.

Referring to October 2, the day Swami Vivekananda delivered his famous Chicago speech, Yogi said the day his year would be another great day heralding a new era of clean India free of plastic.

Meanwhile, Yogi Adityanath dedicated to people the first ropeway of the state in Chitrakoot and paid obeisance at Kamtanath temple before starting a parikrama.

He also picked up a broom and swept the Parikrama Marg of Kamadgiri.

The Chief Minister took out time to worship at Bharat Milap temple before inaugurating the ropeway and sat in the cabin to reach Laxman Hill. He discussed with officials more tourist facilities and development of Chitrakoot as a pilgrim centre.

The state’s first 256-meter ropeway, to be operated by women only, would ply between Kamadgiri Parikrama Marg to Lakshman Hill top, trailing the mythical route of Lord Ram’s exile in Chitrakoot.

The three-cabin ropeway can accommodate 18 people at a time and can ferry 400 people in an hour. The travel duration will be of five minutes and a traveller will have to pay Rs 50 to avail it. Earlier, pilgrims had to trek 400 steps to reach Laxman Hill top.

Constructed on a PPP model at a cost of Rs 15 crore, the ropeway will run on ‘build and operate’ basis by a private company for 30 years.

Before leaving for Lucknow, Yogi Adityanath inspected the government hospital and was unhappy with the facilities there.

Later, Chief Medical Officer of Chitrakoot, Dr Rajendra Singh, was shifted as Joint Director in Medical Health and Family Welfare department in Kanpur. He will be replaced by senior consultant of district hospital in Banda, Dr Vinod Kumar.

Senior child specialist in Banda district hospital, Dr RK Gupta, was also shifted as chief medical superintendent at Karvi. He will replace Dr Sampurnanand, who has now been shifted to Banda in the same capacity.