Thane civic body cracks down on banned plastic, fines violators Rs 69,100

Officials from various departments coordinated inspections and took punitive action against establishments found violating plastic-use regulations. PIC/TMC

The Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) has launched a drive against banned plastic bags and single-use plastic across the city, seizing 30 kg of prohibited plastic and imposing fines totalling Rs 69,100 in October.

The campaign was launched on the directions of Municipal Commissioner Saurabh Rao, with action taken against establishments, street vendors and those found contributing to uncleanliness in the city.

During the drive, the civic body inspected 214 establishments across markets and commercial areas. Officials seized 30 kg of banned plastic and collected Rs 69,100 in fines from those found violating the rules.

The TMC has appealed to citizens, traders, commercial establishment owners and street vendors to refrain from using banned plastic bags, plastic spoons and other single-use plastic products. It has urged them to switch to cloth bags and other environment-friendly alternatives.

The civic body has also called on residents to cooperate with the campaign to keep Thane clean and environmentally sustainable.

The enforcement drive involved deputy chief sanitation inspectors, sanitation inspectors, officials from the pollution control and encroachment departments, supervisory staff and sanitation workers. Officials from various departments coordinated inspections and took punitive action against establishments found violating plastic-use regulations.

The TMC's pollution control department said inspections and enforcement action against the use of banned plastic would continue regularly.

Mumbai Mayor urges responsible waste disposal after 40-50 kg of plastic removed from cow's stomach

Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde has urged citizens to stop discarding food in plastic bags after highlighting how stray cattle ingest plastic waste, with as much as 40-50 kg of plastic reportedly removed from a cow's stomach during surgery recently. Her appeal came during the inauguration of a two-day free veterinary surgery camp in Ghatkopar on October 21.

During her inspection of the camp, the mayor expressed concern over the consequences of plastic waste on stray cattle.

She said people often feed animals using plastic bags or leave leftover food wrapped in plastic on roads. Hungry cows and buffaloes end up consuming the bags along with the food, putting their health at risk.

Tawde said the removal of 40-50 kg of plastic from a cow's stomach during surgery was a deeply distressing sight. She urged residents to dispose of waste responsibly and work towards making Mumbai, Maharashtra and the country plastic-free.