Cidco to intensify drive against use of plastic bags

KHARGHAR: In an attempt to curb pollution caused by the use of plastic, the City and Industrial Development Cor poration ( Cidco) has planned to revive its crackdown in Kharghar, Kamothe, Khanda Colony, New Panvel and Kalamboli of the city.

“We will be putting up notices and posters outside shops urging people to not use plastic bags and carry cloth bags instead. We will also conduct regular drives and penalise shopkeepers who are found to be guilty,” said an official from health department from Cidco. Officials are also planning campaigns to create public awareness about the health and environmental hazards caused by the use of plastic. Earlier in the year, too, a similar drive had been conducted.

“Plastic bag clogs drains which in turn makes it a breeding ground for mosquitoes that are carriers of malaria and dengue. Hawkers are responsible for plastic pollution since they give out plastic bags less than 50 microns bags and customers, too, willingly accept it,” said the official.

He added that the main problem in using plastic less than 50 microns was that it is light and prone to getting blown away along with sticks and other waste. These low- quality bags then choking drains, spoil the beauty and greenery of the city. “We will be stricter with our drive this time in order to make the nodes free of plastic,” said the official.