Delhi govt to crack down on plastic bags from today

A week after the National Green Tribunal banned plastic bags less than 50 microns in an interim order, the Delhi government has finally decided to crack down on plastics from Thursday.

The chief secretary held a meeting with all the agencies including the civic bodies, the Delhi Pollution Control Committee, Delhi Cantonment Board and the New Delhi Municipal Council among others on Wednesday to implement the order.

“The agencies were directed to take actions in phases and seize all plastics from the market which are less than 50 microns. They have been asked to submit the first action taken report by Friday. In the first phase, the plastic stock of vendors and shop keepers would be seized,” said a senior official of the state environment department who attended the meeting.

The NGT in an interim order on August 10 had banned plastic bags less than 50 microns — thinner than an average human hair — in the capital.

The green body also slapped a fine of ₹5,000 on anyone found in possession of plastic bags less than 50 microns.

“We have shred the action plan and directions from the commissioner with the deputy commissioners. We will start the crack down on plastic bags below 50 microns from Thursday onwards and in Phase I, we will be targeting the vendors and shopkeepers at local markets. Meanwhile we have already come out with series of advertisement to spread awareness about the issue,” said senior official from North DMC.

According to manufacturers, the market share of thin bags is not more than 25%.

The NGT had mandated the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) to implement this ban with help from the municipal corporations, which are in charge of waste management.

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