New Delhi, Oct 2 (UNI) Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Wednesday said an unprecedented transition against use of plastic has commenced and more than 2 crore people are already leading the movement.
He administered ‘Swachhata Hi Seva’ pledge and a pledge against use of disposable plastic. He also launched the Swachhata Hi Seva India Plog Run at Rajpath lawn to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of the Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi.
Mr Puri said, “Today, on the fifth anniversary of the Swachh Bharat Mission and the 150th birth anniversary of the Mahatma, I congratulate everyone on having achieved the dream of an open defection free India (except 52 ULBs of West Bengal).
“This has been possible with the participation of the biggest stakeholders of the movement- the citizens of this country. We are committed to the Prime Minister’s vision of a SUP free India. With the launch of the India Plog Run, I am confident that the day is not far when India will be free from SUP.”
The Minister also launched the Delhi Cyclists Plog Run. A video that showcased the “SBM Toilets on Google Maps” initiative that allows users to locate the nearest public toilet was also launched on the occasion. Till now, a total of 57,000 public toilets have been made live on Google Maps across 2,300 cities with the number set to increase in the coming days.
The event was aimed to spread awareness on the harmful effects of plastic waste and enlist the support of citizens to eliminate single use plastic.
The India Plog Run is also being held in 50 cities across India by United Way of India and Go Native with active support from the Ministry. The plogging drive at India Gate covered a 3 kilometre stretch around India Gate.
Plogging is a combination of jogging with picking up litter and had first begun in Sweden in 2016 following increased concerns around plastic pollution. Today, plogging has become a popular activity with several plogging drives being organized in India by citizen groups, Urban Local Bodies, etc and is in convergence with the Fit India Movement.

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