Bhadrachalam jail launches eco-friendly agarbatti unit using temple flowers

Dr. Soumya Mishra, Director General of Prisons and Correctional Services, inaugurated a unique agarbatti manufacturing unit at the Bhadrachalam special sub-jail. The initiative converts discarded temple flowers into eco-friendly incense sticks, ensuring temple cleanliness while offering inmates dignified employment.

Kothagudem: The Director General of Prisons and Correctional Services, Dr. Soumya Mishra inaugurated a new agarbatti manufacturing unit at a special sub-jail at Bhadrachalam in the district on Wednesday.

Speaking on the occasion, she said that the unit was the first-of-its-kind established in a special sub-jail. It would convert used temple flowers from the sacred temple of Bhadrachalam into charcoal-free, eco-friendly incense sticks. This innovative model ensures temple cleanliness, promotes environmental protection and provides meaningful, dignified employment to inmates.

---

Dr. Mishra noted that prisons must evolve into centres of transformation, skill development, and hope. The waste-to-wealth initiative is an example of how discarded materials, especially daily temple flower waste, can be turned into valuable products besides offering the inmates a chance for self-improvement.

The Prisons Department is committed to prepare inmates for responsible reintegration into society through structured training, disciplined work culture and confidence-building opportunities, she said.

The official appreciated the staff for establishing the eco-friendly agarbatti making unit and informed that similar sustainable industries will be expanded across the State.

The first pilot unit launched at district jail in Karimnagar proved a success, resulting in positive behavioural changes, improved discipline and increased work responsibility among inmates, she added.

Bhadrachalm sub-Collector Mrinal Shrestha, IG Prisons N Murali Babu, DIG Prisons Warangal Range M Sampath, Khammam district sub jails officer A Sridhar, the special sub-jail superintendent J Upendar, staff and inmates took part in the programme.