No check as city flouts polythene ban

The UT Administration had recently held a week-long drive to enforce the ban on polythene. in the Sector 26 Grain Market,where the maximum seizure of 200 kgs of polythene was done from vendors and commercial shops. The drive also covered Apni Mandis of Sectors 40,43,45 and 46 in which 30 kg of polythene was seized. Despite this,there seems to be no end to the menace.

Traders claim that there is no alternative to poly bags. “Most people who come to buy vegetables request us to pack vegetables in these bags and generally do not carry their own bags. We have no option but to cater to their demand as we don’t want to lose our customers,” said a vendor at the Grain Market in Sector 26.

Prashant,a student,said,“It is due to sheer ignorance that people do not use paper or jute bags. Awareness should be created about the ill effects of using polythene. Their use leads to toxification and makes land unproductive.”

Polythene bags lying in open areas are not only an eyesore,but also blockage sewerage lines. They cause many health problems,besides being an environmental hazard,he added.

Another city resident,Raunaq lal,said,“To protect environment,we need to stop the use of polythene as it also causes death of animals if they swallow it.”