Watch out: 250 inspectors to enforce plastic ban in Mumbai

As plastic ban is finally being implemented in the city from June 23, the Brihanmumbai Municipal corporation (BMC) has handed over the penalty receipts, special designed jackets and other necessary documents to 250 inspectors appointed to ensure the enforcement.

Public places, malls, railway stations, shops and establishments will be the focus of the civic administration where these appointed officers will visit and if necessary, they will penalise offenders. "Appointed officials have already been given a clear instruction while checking use of banned plastic items in the city," said Nidhi Chaudhary, deputy municipal commissioner (Special).

From every ward, officials deputed for chor gadi, anti-encroachment, market and shops and establishments have been given charge to impose penalty. However, some of the appointed officials claim that they are not sure about the timing when they will start their day to check banned plastic use.

Meanwhile, the BMC has set up 24 centres across 24 wards which will continue to collect banned plastic waste. "People still can dispose of their plastic waste that they already have at their homes. We will continue the system," said Chaudhary. She added that besides collection centres, the toll free number will also continue to function. Chaudhary said that the aim of the civic body is to educate people and help them to get rid of banned plastic.

In order to provide alternatives to plastic, the BMC kicked off a three-day exhibition on Friday at National Sport Club of India in Worli. Around 60 exhibitors, mostly women self-help groups, displayed their items at the exhibition.
Even on day one of the exhibition, there has been tremendous response from traders, societies and common public. Most of the women self-help groups are displaying cloth made bags while traders displayed disposable cutlery made from sugarcane pulp, areca nut pulp and some imported material from China.

LOCALS SPEAK

We have observed that the shop keepers and hawkers are taking the ban seriously and actually giving things in cloth bags. It is appreciable that even a kulfi and bhelpuriwala are aware of the ban and have gradually refrained from using banned plastic bags.  
—Neeta Bajpai 

The residents are still not aware of which plastic can be used and which cannot be used. Even BMC officials don’t have clarity of the plastic ban. Before starting to penalise with Rs 5,000, more awareness is needed. People shoud be prepared otherwise it will be some kind of harrasment
—Rajkumar Sharma

The government’s move is very important for our environment and should not be failed. If people across classes are educated on the advantages of plastic ban to solve their confusions, they will definitely support the move. In our area, Cuffe Parade, we have already distributed bio-degredable bags.
—P Nandekar