PUNE: Vodafone India, leading telecom service providers, today unveiled its unique initiative Vodafone Eco-Ponds on the occasion of Ganeshotsav celebrations in the city.
Vodafone’s Maharashtra & Goa circle has partnered with Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and National Chemical Laboratory (NCL) in an attempt to help citizens across the city celebrate and immerse Ganesh idols in an environment friendly manner.
Vodafone stores located at JM Road, Hirabaug, Wakdewadi, Aundh, Karve Road, NIBM Road, Kalyaninagar and Kharadi will be equipped with Vodafone Eco-Ponds. Further to this, devotees can also dial 7391000000 to locate all the Vodafone Eco-Ponds.
Additionally Vodafone also plans to set up a Mobile Visarjan Van, which will be visiting select large housing societies, old age homes, where it would provide Visarjan facility exclusively to the residents of the society.
Vodafone Eco-Ponds were unveiled at the hands of the Suresh Jagtap – Joint Commissioner Solid waste Management Department – Pune Municipal Corporation and Dr. Shubhangi B Umbarkar – Senior Scientist, Catalysis Division – CSIR National Chemical Laboratory in presence ofAshish Chandra, Business Head, Maharashtra & Goa Circle, Vodafone India.
Speaking about the initiative Ashish Chandra, Business Head, Maharashtra & Goa Circle, Vodafone India said, “We are aware of the impact, festival leaves on the environment. PMC along with NCL have been in the forefront in encouraging people to undertake immersion at home in order to keep water bodies from polluting. Vodafone is extremely happy to support them with our Vodafone Eco-Ponds initiative that aims to reach out to as many citizens to help them carry out Ganesh Visarjan in an eco-friendly manner.”.
Dr. Shubhangi B Umbarkar – Senior Scientist, Catalysis Division – CSIR National Chemical Laboratory said, “This is social project on which CSIR NCL has worked for almost three years in collaboration with PMC. Already last year many people have given positive response and around 25-30000 people have implemented it at home. I would appeal all to either use clay idols or for POP idols use Eco-friendly Ganesh Visarjan process developed by CSIR-NCL.”
Suresh Jagtap – Joint Commissioner Solid waste Management Department – Pune Municipal Corporation said, “The response from Punekars to our new method of Ganesh Visarjan that was developed by NCL has been overwhelming. Citizens are now more conscious of their environment and are eager to adopt new methods that have a positive result on it.”
LIST OF VODAFONE ECO-PONDS
| Store Name | Address |
| J.M. Road | Shop Nos. 7,8,9, Nirmala Heights, 562/6, Shivaji Nagar, Opp. Veer Savarker Bhavan, Near Congress House, Pune – 411005. |
| HIRABAUG | 42A, Shukrawarpeth, Tilak Rd, Hirabaug Tilak Road 411030 |
| WAKDEWADI | The Metropolitan, FP no 27, Old Pune Mumbai Highway, Wakdewadi Shivaji nagar- 411005 |
| AUNDH | Royal Residency, Shop No 1,2,3,4. Aundh Road, Khadki, Pune – 411020. |
| KARVE ROAD | ‘’Regents Chamber’’ Shop No. 2, 3 & 4, CTS No. 33/15B Opp, Garware College Karve Road Pune :- 411004 |
| NIBM Road | Shop No 8, C3 wing, Bhramha Majestic Co-op Hsg Soc, S No 15/2/1, CTS No 755, Nibm Road, Kondwa, Pune 411048. |
| KALYANINAGAR | CST No 2107, S No 210, Shop No 6 & 7, F Mall, Kalyani Nagar, Pune – 411004. |
| KHARADI | EXPERTISE, Shop No.6, KUL Spaces, Sr. No.8, Opp. Reliance Mart, Kharadi, PUNE – 411014 |
