Patients and family members who carried their medical reports and belongings to hospital in plastic bags found officers waiting at the entrance to seize the banned bags. With the plastic ban now on in full swing, the health department of BMC has formed a special vigilance team to seize all plastic waste at hospitals and sensitise visitors about the new rule.

To avoid getting fined, hospitals and in-house pharmacies have opted out for alternatives such as paper and cotton bags. "The house-keeping department and pharmacy have been strictly instructed not to use any plastic bags. We are providing reports and medicines in paper bags, as per the rules of BMC," said a senior officer from Kokilaben Hospital.