Mumbai: BMC To Resume Plastic Ban Enforcement In Civic Markets Starting January 2025; Shopkeepers To Face ₹500 Fine

Mumbai: The BMC has faced setbacks in its efforts to enforce the plastic ban in recent months. However, the civic body plans to resume its drive in the new year, beginning with action in civic markets. Shopkeepers found using banned plastic will be fined Rs 500. Additionally, the BMC is considering extending penalties to customers as well, ensuring a broader compliance with the plastic ban.

The civic body is taking steps to revive its plastic ban enforcement, which had slowed down after an initial push in July 2022. In an effort to strengthen the drive, the focus will now be on making civic-run markets plastic-free. Starting from January 2025, the ward-wise teams of markets, shops, and licensed departments will begin inspecting these markets.

Mumbai has a total of 91 civic-run markets, and the drive aims to seize banned plastic items in these areas, reinforcing the city's commitment to eliminating single-use plastic.

The slowdown in enforcing the plastic ban in Mumbai was due to large number of civic staff being engaged in the Lok Sabha elections in June and state assembly elections in November. As a result, there was a reduction in the available workforce for other civic tasks, including the enforcement of the plastic ban.

"We will check if any action can be taken on customers using banned plastic," said a civic official. The BMC have inspected 44,448 shops and establishments and seized 3,148 kg of banned plastic across the city. The civic body has also collected a fine of Rs 41.70 lakh from January 1, to December 17, 2024.