NMMC COLLECTS ` 20K FINES IN CRACKDOWN ON PLASTIC MENACE

NAVI MUMBAI: The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has collected a total fine of Rs20,000 in its anti-plastic drive that started last week.

The civic body, which had stopped its drive against the use of plastic for the past two year, resumed the crackdown in Vashi last week. Around nine shopkeepers were fined for using plastic bags below 50 microns.

“We have instructed our ward officers to conduct drives in their respective wards regularly. Shops selling plastic below 50 microns will be fined,” said Ankush Chavan, city additional commissioner, NMMC.

Officials said they will also conduct anti-plastic campaigns in which they will organise seminars and put up posters.

“We have already started putting up hoardings and we will also conduct awareness campaigns,” said Prakash Waghmare assistant municipal commissioner, encroachment department, NMMC..

Plastic pollution is a growing concern in the city. The Environment Status Report 201415 of NMMC stated that of the total 700 metric tonnes of solid waste collected in the city daily, around 15% was plastic waste.

Officials said although they had been planning to begin the crackdown a few months earlier, it got delayed as all the departments had been tied up with administrative work and the smart city campaign.

We have instructed our ward officers to conduct drives regularly. Shops selling plastic below 50 microns will be fined. ANKUSH CHAVAN, city additional commissioner, NMMC