LUCKNOW, May 3 -- The Lucknow Municipal Corporation (LMC) has made prior registration of Bada Mangal Bhandaras mandatory and rolled out a Zero Waste Bhandara framework, linking the city's 400-year-old tradition to sanitation enforcement and environmental safeguards. The LMC asked all organisers to inform the civic body at least 24 hours before hosting a Bhandara, warning that unregistered events may face sanitation gaps and stricter scrutiny during inspections. The move aims to streamline waste management, ensure drinking water supply, and prevent littering during one of the city's largest religious gatherings. Officials said that only registered Bhandaras will receive priority access to LMC services, including garbage collection, deployment of sanitation workers, and potable water supply through the Jalkal department. Organisers can register via the Lucknow One app under the Swacch Zero Waste option or call the helpline 1533. Given that lakhs of devotees participate in Bhandaras across the city during peak summer, the civic body has flagged unmanaged waste and plastic usage as major concerns in previous years. Gaurav Kumar, municipal commissioner, has prohibited the use of plastic and thermocol at Bhandara sites, directing organisers to switch to biodegradable alternatives such as leaf plates (pattals) and earthen cups (kulhads). Officials said this step is crucial to reduce non-biodegradable waste that typically piles up after large-scale food distribution events. To operationalise the zero-waste model, LMC has made it compulsory to install separate dustbins for wet and dry waste at every Bhandara site. Organisers must also deploy identifiable volunteers to manage queues, assist devotees, and ensure that waste is disposed of only at designated points. Organisers have been asked to display messages discouraging food wastage and encouraging cleanliness, reinforcing the link between devotion and civic responsibility. The LMC has directed organisers to strictly adhere to prescribed noise limits for loudspeakers and restrict their use to permitted hours. Officials said enforcement teams will monitor compliance, and violations may invite action under relevant rules. LMC teams will conduct inspections across zones during Bada Mangal to check adherence to guidelines. To incentivise compliance, the civic body will organise a "Model Bhandara" competition, recognising organisers who effectively implement sanitation and zero-waste practices. Kumar said that the initiative aims to modernise a centuries-old tradition without diluting its spirit. "We want to ensure that Bada Mangal remains a symbol of service and reverence, while also becoming a model of cleanliness and sustainability," he said, urging citizens to cooperate....