Smart' Warangal bans plastic flexies, flags

Warangal Urban: It is customary here for parties to put up a large number of welcome flexboards, flags and banners along the highway whenever a leader visits the city. Every leader from the galli to the district level puts up at least one such flexi in the city.

Flags are tied to the lamp posts along the highway and most of them are tied near the Ambedkar statue near the Public Garden. Municipal administration minister K.T. Rama Rao himself raised objection to the slew of flexies that welcomed him during his visit here in November. At least 5,000 flexies were put up that one day from Madikonda to Hanamkonda crossroads.

The case is same with all other political parties. As a result, a lot of plastic wastage is being created on such occasions. Acting against this environmental pollution, Greater Warangal Municipal Corporation has decided to ban such flexies, flags or anything made of plastic.

Assigned with the task of turning Warangal into a smart city, the corporation has already announced ban on use of plastic bags in shops. Raids are continuing and fines are being imposed on merchants.

As a follow up, commissioner Sruthi Ojha took the decision to ban the flexies.
Additional commissioner Shahid Masood said the corporation was preparing guidelines to implement the ban. He said the corporation was taking the plastic ban seriously and intended to implement it in an effective manner to turn the environment friendly.

“We have started removing flexies that are erected in the tri cities. We will form special squads to monitor the plastic ban in Greater Warangal. We will not allow any political party or individual to put up flexies. Those who do not follow the guidelines will have to pay hefty fines. The cost incurred by the GWMC to remove those flexies will also be collected from them,” he said.