Agartala, December 18, 2025: In a landmark step towards environmental protection and public cleanliness, the Unakoti district administration has launched an unprecedented initiative to make the district plastic-free. As part of the campaign, 50,000 dustbins for plastic waste collection were installed simultaneously across the district—a scale rarely seen anywhere in the country, according to officials.

On Thursday at 10 am, dustbins were placed in all wards of 92 gram panchayats, ADC villages, and two municipalities. The central programme was held at Gournagar Market Shed, in front of the Superintendent of Police’s office. The event was attended by Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) Director Kuntal Das, WSSO Director Manoranjan Debbarma, Unakoti District Magistrate Dr. Tamal Majumder, Gournagar Panchayat Samiti Vice-Chairman Badruzzaman, along with administrative officials and public representatives.

Speaking at the programme, Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) Director Kuntal Das said: “Today marks the beginning of a significant and large-scale initiative in Unakoti. Installing 50,000 dustbins at once is not just an administrative move, it is a major effort to raise public awareness. Cleanliness is inseparable from our lives; health and hygiene have been deeply connected since birth.”

She emphasized the role of women, noting: “Cleanliness begins at home. Whether in households, schools, or markets, maintaining hygiene is everyone’s responsibility.”

District Magistrate Dr. Tamal Majumder highlighted the hazards of indiscriminate plastic disposal: “Throwing plastic bottles and waste on roads disrupts traffic, endangers children, and clogs drains, causing waterlogging. Plastic waste is not garbage, it is a reusable resource.”

He explained that cost-effective dustbin models were selected for installation in markets, schools, Anganwadi Kendra, hospitals, and residential areas. The bins were manufactured in Kumarghat through day-and-night efforts, enabling their district-wide deployment.

Later, Dr. Majumder and Swachh Bharat Mission officials visited Shaiv Tirth in Unakoti, where they inaugurated three plastic banks established by the social organization Go Green Volunteers. The initiative began with the symbolic disposal of plastic bottles into the banks.

Environmental activists and local residents have welcomed the move, expressing hope that joint efforts by the administration and citizens will set Unakoti as a model district for plastic-free and clean living.