Citizens in Dehradun have mixed views about the programme which is going to spread across 50 kilometres and will affect the route and traffic situation of every major road in the city. Majority of the citizens think that the human chain event is just a display exercise and will not have any ground level effect. However, few people also think that an awareness programme of such a magnitude will bring positive change in the attitude towards polythene and single-use plastic.
Deviprasad Dimri, a retired Government employee said, “Such an event will surely get national level coverage and hence, might also be the key to raise awareness among general public against use of polythene and plastic. So far, only people who read newspapers and are living in the city are familiar with the ban on polythene. The people who are living in slums and roadside know little about any such ban. It is crucial for authorities to also include neglected section of such people in the human chain. It will also be a scene to behold when students from government and private schools will hold hands and make one long human chain. It is a good initiative.
Saroj Semwal said, “It would have been better if the programme was conducted on Sunday. Most of the people who will be coming out of their homes or offices will be in hurry. The event will obviously result in some major traffic related problems and therefore will be challenge for the authorities to successfully conduct the event as well as make sure that the general public does not have to suffer through long traffic jams.”
It is pertinent to mention here that Municipal Corporation of Dehradun is planning to register the event into the Guinness World Record.