BY TC News Desk
Agartala, 18th December 2025: In a landmark environmental initiative, the Unakoti district administration has launched an unprecedented campaign to make the district plastic-free by installing 50,000 dustbins simultaneously across the region. Officials described the move as a rare and historic step, aimed at strengthening cleanliness and environmental protection through mass public participation.
At exactly 10 am on Thursday, dustbins were installed at the same time in every ward of 92 gram panchayats, ADC villages, and the district’s two municipalities. The central event of the mega drive was held at the Gaurnagar Bazar Shed, in front of the Superintendent of Police office, in the presence of senior officials, elected representatives, and local residents.
Addressing the gathering, Kuntal Das, Director (Rural) of the Swachh Bharat Mission, said, “Today Unakoti has witnessed a very important and grand initiative. Installing fifty thousand dustbins at once is not merely an administrative exercise—it is a powerful effort to create awareness among the masses. Cleanliness is an inseparable part of our lives, and human health is deeply connected to hygiene from birth.”
Highlighting the role of women, Das added, “Cleanliness begins at home. Whether it is our homes, schools or markets, maintaining cleanliness everywhere is our collective responsibility.”
District Magistrate Dr. Tamal Majumdar, in his address, said that indiscriminate disposal of plastic bottles and garbage on roads was causing traffic hazards, endangering children and clogging drains, leading to waterlogging. “Plastic is not waste; it is a recyclable resource. Proper segregation and disposal can turn this challenge into an opportunity,” he said.
He informed that different low-cost dustbin models were selected for installation in front of markets, schools, Anganwadi centres, hospitals and households. “These dustbins were manufactured at Kumarghat through day-and-night efforts and installed across the district simultaneously,” the District Magistrate noted.
As part of the programme, the District Magistrate and Swachh Bharat Mission officials later visited Unakoti, where three plastic banks set up by the ‘Go Green Volunteers’ social organisation were formally inaugurated by depositing plastic bottles.
Environmentalists and residents have welcomed the initiative, expressing hope that with active cooperation between the administration and the public, Unakoti can emerge as a model plastic-free and clean district for the entire state.
