The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has decided to enforce the ban on single-use plastics after a week-long awareness drive.
This development as the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) has directed BMC to take strict measures against both users and vendors of prohibited plastic items.
However, the civic body is considering on charging lesser fines for customers. A proposal to revise the fine structure is under discussion. Enforcement will first begin in civic markets across Mumbai. It is pertinent to note that there are 91 civic-run markets in Mumbai.
BMC will also focus on public awareness. Licensing inspectors and other staff will visit civic and traditional markets to educate vendors and shoppers. Teams will inform people about banned plastic items and penalties for violations.
On March 23, 2018, the Maharashtra government issued a notification prohibiting the state's manufacture, use, sale, transportation, handling, and storage of plastic products.
However, use of plastic products can still be seen in the city. Last year alone, the civic body inspected 44,448 establishments, seized 2,148 kilograms of banned plastic, and collected INR 41.70 lakh in fines in Mumbai.
Prohibited items include carry bags, plastic flags, straws, candy sticks, ice cream sticks, thermocol decorations, plastic cutlery, and plastic sticks for balloons or earbuds. Plastic packaging under 50 microns and certain nonwoven polypropylene carry bags are also banned unless essential.
The plastic ban in Maharashtra covers the manufacture, use, sale, handling, transportation, and storage of certain plastic products. Violators face fines starting at INR 5,000 for the first offense. Repeat offenders will face fines of INR 10,000 for a second violation and INR 25,000 for a third, along with legal action.