After State Environment Minister Aaditya Thackeray announced that by May this year the state should be free of single-use plastic, the richest corporation has swung into action. The BMC has decided to take strict action against banned plastic users in Mumbai from today onwards and has urged all Mumbaikars, including traders, vendors, and hawkers to refrain from using plastic.

BMC officials have inspected 16 lakh establishments and seized 86,000 kg plastic since June 2018. They have managed to net R4.65 crore in fine until now. According to the circular released by the state government, if you are found using plastic, you will have to cough up a fine of R5,000 for the first offence; R10,000 for a second offence; and R25,000 for a third offence. While the plastic ban was launched with gusto, it eventually lost momentum.