Bhubaneswar: As the countdown to the auspicious Rath Jatra 2025 begins, Puri is set to embark on its second consecutive year of a robust environmental stewardship initiative, aiming to transform the grand festival into a beacon of sustainability.
This year’s efforts, spearheaded by Hindustan Coca Cola Beverages (HCCB) in collaboration with the Anandana Coca-Cola India Foundation, and in active coordination with the Puri Municipality, District Administration (Puri), and Odisha Development Management Program (ODMP), resonate strongly with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s resolute call on World Environment Day 2025 to end plastic pollution globally.
In fact, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has strongly reiterated his commitment to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a plastic-free India, actively working to implement this goal within Odisha. From encouraging the use of traditional, eco-friendly alternatives to bolstering waste management infrastructure, CM Shri Majhi’s Administration is pushing for a cleaner, greener state. His proactive stance includes public awareness campaigns and collaborations with local communities to reduce single-use plastic dependency, aiming to transform the Prime Minister’s vision into a tangible reality for every Odia citizen.
Satyabrata Sahu, Additional Chief Secretary, Home and Forest, Environment and Climate Change, expressed his satisfaction with the continued commitment. “It is truly heartening to witness the sustained dedication of HCCB and its partners in fostering environmental responsibility,” he stated. “Their proactive step to mobilize resources and deploy volunteers for used PET bottle collection and public waste management during such a significant event aligns perfectly with our state’s broader environmental goals and the national imperative set by our Prime Minister.”
The initiative builds upon the remarkable success of 2024, where under the guidance of Dr. K Murugesan, the then Odisha Pollution Control Board Member Secretary, over 850,000 used PET bottles, weighing more than 17,000 kilograms, were successfully collected during the Rath Jatra festival. This impactful collection was facilitated by dedicated collection zones and recycling awareness campaigns led by trained ‘Safai Sathis’, demonstrating the power of community engagement.
Dr.Murugesan, an environment friendly IFS Officer is also happy with the continued support of HCCB this year for Rath Jatra-2025, making Holy City Plastic Free.
“This year, our primary objective remains steadfast: to promote awareness, encourage community participation in responsible PET collection, and contribute to a cleaner, greener Odisha,” affirmed a spokesperson for HCCB. “We are particularly focused on instilling a sense of civic responsibility, especially among the youth, in line with the Prime Minister’s vision for a ‘Jan Andolan’ (people’s movement) for environmental protection.”
Key initiatives planned for Rath Jatra 2025 to champion the plastic-free mission include:
- Extensive Volunteer Training: A comprehensive ten-day training program (June 26 – July 5, 2025) will empower volunteers with the knowledge and skills necessary for efficient PET bottle collection and civic service.
- Strategic Collection Points: Designated PET bottle collection points will be established at high-footfall areas such as Pallishree Mela Ground, Bholanath Vidya Pitha – Main Stall, Puri Main Bus Stand, Talabania Temporary Bus Stand, Puri Railway Station, Near Badasankha, Digabareni Square, and multiple locations along Sea Beach, ensuring maximum reach and convenience for devotees and locals.
- Launch Clean-Up Event: An initial clean-up drive will be conducted on June 26, 2025, covering the coastal stretch from Swargadwar to Hotel Coco Palm, setting the tone for a pristine festival.
- On-Ground Support: Help desks and designated vendors will be strategically deployed in key beach and temple areas to facilitate waste collection and assist the public.
- Infrastructure Enhancement: 200 strategically located dustbins will be installed to streamline the collection and proper disposal of PET bottles, reinforcing the message of responsible waste management.
- Public Pledge for a Green Future: An oath ceremony will be organized to formally engage participants and guests in committing to PET collection and environmental responsibility, fostering a collective commitment to a cleaner Puri.
- Community Engagement through Arts: Engaging street plays (Nukkad Nataks) will be utilized as an interactive medium to raise public awareness and educate on sustainable PET waste management practices, making environmental education accessible and impactful.
- Collaborative Implementation: The success of this ambitious initiative will be ensured through effective coordination with local authorities, the temple administration, and various volunteer organizations, highlighting the power of collective action.
The convergence of a globally significant spiritual event like the Rath Jatra with a dedicated mission to combat plastic pollution, inspired by Prime Minister Shri Modi’s directive, positions Puri as a shining example of how cultural heritage and environmental responsibility can harmoniously coexist, paving the way for a truly greener future.