HARIDWAR: Speaking at the valedictory session of the two-day Innovation Summit held in Haridwar, chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat on Sunday said that his government was committed to clean all nullahs polluting the Ganga in the Kumbh area by next year. Regretting that the earth was fast becoming a ‘plastic planet,’ due to tonnes of plastic waste being generated, the CM said that use of plastic and polythene will be completely banned by July 31 in the state.The CM also exuded confidence that Kumbh 2021 at Haridwar will be held successfully. “Deliberations on the mega religious event have started well in advance and preparations for it will be made in a planned manner. We are confident that Kumbh will be a grand success and better than before,” Rawat said.The summit inaugurated on July 21 was organized by Haridwar Roorkee Development Authority (HRDA) and Elets Technomedia Private Limited. It provided a platform to experts, officials and industry people for deliberations on how to make optimum use of advanced technology in management of the Kumbh.State urban development minister Madan Kaushik who was also present, said, “A number of high-level meetings have already been held to discuss arrangements for Kumbh. After discussions with akharas, it has been decided to shift their camps to the Bijnore road outside Kumbh’s crowded area, thus allowing more space to pilgrims in the main mela area.” He added that Union minister Nitin Gadakari has assured that the ring road proposed for the holy city will be constructed before 2021. “This will be of great help in organizing the mela.”At the summit, the CM also launched the Bhagidari and Pragati portals. While the first gives detailed information on various projects and activities of HRDA, the second is for the benefit of teachers trying to check drop-out rate of students in schools.At another meeting to review preparations for kanwar yatra , the CM said that all necessary facilities should be provided to the devotees during the fortnight-long yatra and proper traffic and security arrangements should be ensured. District magistrate Deepak Rawat told the CM that most of the work has been completed and the rest will be finalised by July 25.

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