Chandigarh, Feb. 28 -- Calling for an immediate and absolute ban on polythene across Chandigarh, mayor Saurabh Joshi has shot off a letter to UT administrator and Punjab governor Gulab Chand Kataria, highlighting that the unchecked circulation and usage of plastic carry bags despite existing restrictions have pushed the city into an environmental and moral crisis. He sought swift executive intervention to declare Chandigarh a zero-polythene city. The issue has moved beyond routine sanitation lapses and now threatens the very identity of Chandigarh as the City Beautiful, he stated.

He also mentioned that stray cattle were forced to ingest polythene from garbage heaps, leading prolonged suffering and often painful deaths. Raising alarm ove...