Varanasi Rath Yatra Mela Goes Green: VMC Declares Three-Day Fair Completely Plastic-Free

VARANASI — In a major environmental push, the Varanasi Municipal Corporation (VMC) has announced that the iconic three-day Rath Yatra Mela will be conducted as a completely plastic-free event this year. The decision is part of a sweeping cleanliness initiative aimed at lowering the ecological footprint of the city's massive public festivals and managing waste efficiently along the high-density carnival routes.

Written Undertakings and Strict Waste Mandates

To enforce the environmental ban effectively, the municipal body has introduced a strict compliance framework for the hundreds of businesses that line the fairgrounds. All temporary shopkeepers, street vendors, mobile cart owners, and kiosk operators setting up stalls along the traditional Rath Yatra route are required to submit a formal written undertaking to the civic body.

By signing this pledge, vendors commit to a total ban on the use of single-use plastics, thermocol products, and polythene carrybags. Furthermore, to eliminate the chronic problem of littering, the VMC has made it mandatory for every single shopkeeper to install a functional dustbin directly in front of their stall. Civic officials have explicitly warned that municipal flying squads will conduct random spot checks, and immediate penalties or stall cancellations will be enforced against any violators.

Key Infrastructure Targets for the Rath Yatra Mela

Varanasi Mayor Ashok Kumar Tiwari has issued direct, time-bound instructions to heads of various municipal wings to ensure smooth, hitch-free management for the massive influx of arriving devotees:

• Road Resurfacing: The engineering wing is fast-tracking repairs, pothole filling, and leveling along the primary procession path and adjoining access roads.

• Continuous Sanitation: Dedicated sanitary inspector teams will oversee round-the-clock waste collection shifts to keep the fair perimeter pristine.

• Sewerage Maintenance: The Urban Jal Nigam has been directed to deploy vacuum suction machines to completely eliminate and prevent sewer overflows in and around the fairground sectors.

• Public Conveniences: The VMC is setting up temporary drinking water booths and mobile toilet complexes at close intervals along the crowded patches.

A Unified Commitment to Devotee Comfort

The Varanasi Municipal Corporation reiterated its absolute commitment to offering a clean, safe, and convenient environment for the thousands of families and pilgrims participating in the historic celebrations. By integrating structural civic upgrades with tough green mandates, the administration aims to establish this year's Rath Yatra Mela as a sustainable model for future urban religious gatherings in Kashi.