Thane civic body fines establishments Rs 69,100 and seizes 30 kg of banned plastic in October

The Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) has launched a drive against banned plastic bags and single-use plastic in the city. In the action carried out in October, 30 kg of banned plastic was seized and fines totalling Rs 69,100 were imposed.

The drive began on the directions of Municipal Commissioner Saurabh Rao. Action was taken against shops and establishments, roadside vendors, and those found littering the city.

A total of 214 establishments in markets and commercial areas were inspected during the drive. Those found violating the rules were fined. Officials seized 30 kg of banned plastic on the spot.

The TMC has appealed to citizens, traders, owners of commercial establishments and roadside vendors not to use banned plastic bags, plastic spoons and other single-use plastic items. They have been asked to switch to cloth bags and other eco-friendly alternatives.

The civic body has also asked residents to cooperate in keeping Thane clean and environmentally sustainable.

The action involved officials of the deputy chief sanitary inspector, sanitary inspector, pollution control and anti-encroachment departments, along with supervisory staff and sanitation workers. Officials from different departments carried out the inspections together and took punitive action against establishments that broke the rules on plastic use.

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

Meanwhile, Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde has appealed to people to stop throwing food in plastic bags. She said stray cattle swallow plastic waste. It has been reported that 40 to 50 kg of plastic was recently removed from a cow's stomach during surgery. The Mayor made the appeal on October 21 at the inauguration of a two-day free animal surgery camp in Ghatkopar.

Inspecting the camp, the Mayor expressed concern about the effects of plastic waste on stray cattle. She said people often feed animals in plastic bags, or wrap leftover food in plastic and leave it on the streets. Hungry cows and buffaloes eat the bags along with the food, which puts their health at risk.

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