Ghaziabad: In a bid to make the city clean and green, Ghaziabad Development Authority's (GDA) vice-chairperson Ritu Maheshwari on Monday morning launched a drive for betterment and beautification of the city by planting saplings at the City Forest.
"GDA is stepping further to enhance beauty in the city. Plantation drives will also be taken up in other parts of the district," Maheshwari, who also serves as the District Magistrate of Ghaziabad, told reporters.
At a programme attended by Chief Data Officer Ramesh Rajan, Municipal Commissioner CP Singh and other senior GDA officials, Maheshwari laid the foundation stone for the City Forest betterment and beautification work at Gate no. 1, City Forest, Raj Nagar Extension Road
Before laying the foundation stone a hawan was conducted in the City Forest.
Maheshwari added that Ghaziabad City will be made free of polythene bags, plastic cups, glass and plates by October 2.
"As per instructions of the Uttar Pradesh government, the whole state is going to be free of polythene bags and plastic. In the same way, Ghaziabad city will also be made polythene and plastic-free" she added Maheshwari.
Meanwhile, the Authority carried a massive demolition drive on Monday against marked unauthorised and illegal buildings and construction sites.
The GDA team demolished 14 illegal buildings at various localities.
According to a GDA official, the demolition action was taken in Muradnagar, Vijay Nagar, Indirapuram, Sahibabad and many other localities.
The GDA has also hired private agencies for task of demolition.
As of now, the authority has demolished 41 illegal constructions till date in different parts of the district.