Throwing plastic could cost you Rs 25,000 in Mumbai
A BMC special squad led by a deputy municipal commissioner and several ward officers will impose a fine of Rs 100 to Rs 5,000 on people caught littering the streets with plastic and thermocol for the first time.
The pollutants have a major role in choking city drains during the monsoon.
“We have formed three special squads that will roam the city looking for people who dispose thermocol and plastic bags in nullahs and on the roads.
We hope people act responsibly and stop throwing pollutants that play a big part in water-logging during the monsoon,” said Municipal Commissioner Swadhin Kshatriya.
Experts had cited the clogged drains as being a major cause of the massive flooding in Mumbai on July 26, 2005 that brought the city to a standstill.
The BMC’s clean-up marshals are to assist the squad in their drive. “The fine between Rs 100 to Rs 5,000 is for first-time offenders.
Those caught committing the offence for the second time will be fined Rs 10,000, third-time offenders will be fined Rs 25,000 and could also be sentenced to three months in jail,” said Kshatriya.
Mayor Shraddha Jadhav had in December asked the BMC to enforce the ban on plastic bags strictly.
To begin with, the BMC has begun its no-plastic bags drive from its own premises.
The civic ward office in Byculla (E-ward) has banned the use of plastic bags on its premises since June 7.
Ward officials have set up a kiosk manned by two security personnel at the entrance of the ward office who confiscate plastic bags from visitors and give them free paper bags.
1,072
Number of plastic bags confiscated from visitors to the BMC E-ward office
25
Number of civic wards in the city
50 microns
Minimum permissible thickness of plastic carry bags as per the Maharashtra Non-biodegradable Garbage Control Act