Friday, 26 JULY 2024 | PNS | DEHRADUN
The chief secretary Radha Raturi issued an order to the Transport department to enforce strict adherence to regulations requiring all vehicles entering Uttarakhand to be equipped with dustbins or garbage bags. The officials concerned must conduct regular checking and impose penalties to ensure compliance. This initiative is part of a broader effort to maintain the State’s natural cleanliness and beauty which makes it the collective responsibility of tourists, tour operators, travel agencies and drivers. Raturi stated this in a meeting with departments concerned on Thursday. She said that the installation of dustbins or garbage bags in all vehicles is mandatory during the Char Dham Yatra to prevent passengers from littering on roads. When the department issues trip cards to vehicles for Char Dham Yatra, they should check whether the vehicle has the necessary waste disposal facilities. Public awareness campaigns should also be conducted to inform the general population about these regulations. Raturi also directed them to talk and coordinate with tour operators, travel agencies and drivers to ensure effective implementation. She talked about the importance of preserving Uttarakhand’s environment and added that as a prominent tourist destination, maintaining the State’s natural cleanliness is a shared responsibility of residents and the millions of tourists and pilgrims who visit annually. Raturi also said that the State aims to maintain a clean and environmentally sustainable environment for both residents and visitors which can be ensured only through strict enforcement, public awareness and collaboration with key stakeholders. The officials also informed the CS that the Transport department has already communicated these requirements to transport commissioners in neighboring states including Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Chandigarh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. They assured that the department will ensure that all rules are being executed at the ground level.
