Strictly implement 2018 notice of ban on single-use plastic: Maharashtra Pollution Control Board
Currently, single use plastic is banned in the state under the Maharashtra Plastic and Thermocol Notification of 2018.
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According to officials, the discussion centred around the measures to control the use of single use plastic, manage Mumbai's solid waste as well as treatment of the sewage. (File)The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) is set to ramp up its crackdown against the use of single-use plastic. MPCB chairperson Siddhesh Kadam on Friday announced that the body has instructed officials to conduct stricter implementation of the 2018 norms, which calls for the ban of single-use plastic (SUP), and added that offenders will be levied with penalties.
Amid concerns surrounding the increasing AQI levels, the MPCB chairperson as well as member secretary Avinash Dhakane convened a meeting with senior officials from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), including municipal commissioner Bhushan Gagrani. According to officials, the discussion centred around the measures to control the use of single use plastic, manage Mumbai’s solid waste as well as treatment of the sewage.
Speaking to reporters about the discussions, Kadam said, “Among several subjects, we had a discussion on the usage of single use plastic. While we already have banned the plastic under the 2018 norms and our efforts are ongoing, the MPCB has instructed to strictly implement the norms banning plastic usage. The action against single use plastic will be taken jointly by the MPCB, Mumbai police as well as the BMC.”
Currently, single use plastic is banned in the state under the Maharashtra Plastic and Thermocol Notification of 2018. As per the current norms, first-time offenders are levied a fine of Rs. 5,000 followed by a fine of Rs. 10,000 on second offence and so on while repeat offenders are subject to stricter action.
Responding to questions, Kadam said that penalties will be levied upon those using single use plastic.
During the course of the meeting, the officials also took stock of the status of Mumbai’s sewage treatment plants, river rejuvenation plans as well as status on treating the legacy waste at the Deonar dumping ground.
BMC mulling to lift construction ban
Days after the civic body suspended all construction works in Borivali East and Byculla, where the AQI levels consistently surpassed the 200-mark, municipal commissioner Bhushan Gagrani said further decision will be taken after observing the situation in the pockets for a period of 24 hours.
“In two pockets—Borivali East and Byculla—all construction works including government and BMC projects were shut. Over the past two days, the BMC has been closely monitoring these pockets and observed that the AQI in Borivali East and Byculla have remained under control and improved. Therefore, we will be observing the situation in these areas for the next 24 hours, following which we will take a call on whether to lift the suspension imposed on works,” Gagrani told reporters.
Meanwhile, the BMC has shifted its gaze towards Navy Nagar and Govandi, which Gagrani said, have been recording higher AQI levels over the past days. On Friday, data from the CPCB showed that Navy Nagar logged the worst air quality in the city at 259 (poor), followed by Shivaji Nagar which reeled under an AQI of 166.
However, the air quality index across the city marked a significant improvement on Friday evening when the overall AQI touched 115, which is categorised as moderate.
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