Mysuru: In light of the ban on single-use plastic, the Karnataka Exhibition Authority (KEA) has announced plans to distribute free cloth bags to visitors at the Dasara Exhibition, with support from donors. Set to open on Oct. 3, the day Navarathri begins, the Dasara Exhibition will implement strict measures  at the entrance.                    

Visitors’ carry bags will be checked and any plastic water bottles or bags will be confiscated. In exchange, visitors will receive cloth bags at no cost.

Avadhoota Datta Peetham’s Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Ashram is donating 1 lakh cloth bags, while Rotary will provide an additional 50,000 bags. Several other organisations have expressed interest in contributing to the initiative.

Exhibition stall vendors have also been strictly instructed not to use plastic carry bags, aligning with efforts to curb plastic use. Although the transition may take time, authorities are hopeful these measures will significantly reduce plastic waste at the event.