Chandigarh, Aug. 23 -- In an initiative towards creating cleaner, greener and more sustainable marketplaces, the Chandigarh municipal corporation (MC) initiated a mass plantation drive to transform the Sector 40 market into the city's first fully green market. The MC identified several vacant spaces at market entrances and after cleaning, these were aesthetically improved and 2,500 saplings planted. The drive was launched by MC joint commissioner Balbir Raj Singh along with councillor Gurbaksh Rawat, with active participation of residents and market associations. Rawat said vacant spaces at market entrances often become dumping spots for garbage, debris and waste. Converting such spaces into landscaped green areas can bring about a change. As part of the initiative, the Chandigarh MC cleared debris and malba from vacant patches and planted grass and trees. The initiative is also being aligned with the objectives of the Swachh Bharat Mission, giving a green makeover to previously underutilised spaces. Superintending engineer, horticulture, Pratipal Singh said the project is being implemented without any additional expenditure, using available MC resources, including plants received from the forest department and those raised in MC nurseries. Councillor Rawat urged citizens to identify dirty or unused spaces in their surroundings that can be beautified through cleaning, landscaping and plantation....