In a bid to curb the use of single-use plastic, Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has made significant strides in its plastic ban enforcement campaign, led by Commissioner Dr. Kailas Shinde. Special squads have been actively inspecting markets and targeting vehicles transporting plastic stocks for distribution.
Over the past two days, two major operations were carried out by the Plastic Ban Enforcement Squad of Ward 2, under the leadership of Assistant Commissioner Dr. Kailas Gaikwad. On April 17, a crackdown in the Mahape MIDC area led to the seizure of 20 kg of banned plastic from a two-wheeler, with a fine of Rs. 5,000 imposed on the offender.
The following day, on April 18, the same squad intercepted a vehicle at the Airoli toll plaza, transporting 60 kg of banned plastic. Another fine of Rs. 5,000 was collected, and the plastic was confiscated.
Additionally, the squad conducted operations in various sectors, including the seizure of 5 kg of plastic bags from Rawaray General Stores in Sector 18, Koparkhairane, and 1 kg of plastic bags from Mahendra Prajapati in Sector 20, Airoli, with fines imposed in both cases.
In total, during the first half of April, the plastic enforcement squads of Ward 1 and Ward 2, under the supervision of Assistant Commissioners Mr. Somnath Potre and Dr. Kailas Gaikwad, successfully collected Rs. 85,000 in fines from 17 individuals and businesses. They also seized a total of 283.7 kg of single-use plastic.
The NMMC urges citizens to voluntarily avoid the use of plastic bags and opt for cloth or paper alternatives. Business owners are advised to refrain from distributing plastic bags and to remove them from their premises to reduce the environmental and health risks posed by plastic waste.
