Navi Mumbai: In a major crackdown on single-use plastic, the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has seized 36.3 kilograms of plastic bags and collected ₹30,000 in fines from six businesses over the past four days. Acting under the guidance of Municipal Commissioner Dr. Kailas Shinde, the civic body has intensified public awareness campaigns to discourage the use of plastic bags and promote alternatives like cloth and paper bags.
The special inspection drive was carried out by the Circle 2 flying squad under Deputy Commissioner Dr. Kailas Gaikwad. On May 1, Maharashtra Day, the team intercepted a two-wheeler at the Mulund-Airoli toll plaza bringing 30 kg of plastic bags into Navi Mumbai from Mumbai, imposing a ₹5,000 fine on Rajesh Gupta.
Earlier, on April 30, the squad fined Shivshakti Stores in Ghansoli ₹5,000 and seized 1 kg of plastic bags. Pooja Traders in Ghansoli was also fined ₹5,000, with 500 grams of plastic confiscated. On May 3, D.R. Bhanuushali & Sons in Koparkhairane was penalized ₹5,000, and 1 kg of plastic was seized. Thorat Bandhu Kirana Stores and Mahalaxmi Mart in Airoli were each fined ₹5,000, with 3 kg and 800 grams of plastic bags confiscated, respectively.
NMMC emphasized that along with awareness, strict enforcement is essential to reduce the environmental and human health risks posed by plastic waste. The civic body has appealed to both citizens and businesses to voluntarily stop using plastic bags and switch to eco-friendly alternatives.
