CHENNAI: State Environment Minister BV Ramanaa on Wednesday flagged off the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board’s campaign vehicles for a smoke-free Bhogi. Five vehicles carrying two officials each will campaign for the next 10 days on the ill-effects of burning plastic and other waste material to symbolise Bhogi. The Minister himself made an appeal through the media against burning of plastic and other hazardous material during Bhogi.“For the first time, Greater Chennai, including the newly-inducted zones in the the City Corporation, will be covered under the smokeless Bhogi campaign,” said Ramanaa. “On the eve of Pongal festival, close to 25 vehicles with officials and one police officer in each will patrol the entire city to prevent burning of waste. All school children will be asked to take a pledge by the officials not to burn waste,” said Balaji, Additional Chief Environmental Engineer at the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB).According to TNPCB officials, the level of pollution during Bhogi has come down consistently over the last 10 years, starting in 2001. “This has been due to the sustained efforts to create awareness. This time, the pollution level will be monitored at eight different locations across the city including Anna Nagar, Besant Nagar, T Nagar, Kilpauk and Mandaveli,” said Balaji.
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