Chandigarh, Feb. 20 -- Over 80% of Chandigarh's weekly Apni Mandis lack basic facilities such as public toilets, waste bins, washing areas and dedicated parking, leading to persistent plastic littering, traffic congestion and serious public health concerns, a new study by the Institute for Development and Communication (IDC) has revealed.

The report, 'Plastic Waste Generation and Management in Apni Mandis,' Chandigarh, authored by project co-ordinator Japneet Kaur, is based on surveys of 500 vendors, 750 customers and 110 nearby households across 11 apni mandis across city, showcases a troubling picture of infrastructural neglect despite the city's planned urban framework.

This study was assigned to the Institute for Development and Com...