HYDERABAD: Following in the footsteps of the GHMC, the Secunderabad Cantonment Board wants to make the cantonment area plastic-free. A decision on the measure is likely to be taken at the next general meeting of board.
SCB vice-president J.Rama Krishna said, “The elected representatives have already held a meeting with sanitation department officials on the matter. At the meeting, we came up with a decision to announce ban on plastic at the next meeting.”
According to official sources, the SCB is set to ban all types of plastic, including those thicker than 50 microns. Though the Centre had, in 2016, banned plastic bags of below 50 microns thickness, they continue to be available in Secunderabad Cantonment area.
Many residents say that a large number of retailers are still using plastic covers which will end up in drains and on roads, causing water-logging during the monsoon season, officials of the sanitation department said. “Garbage pollutes the atmosphere and blocks sewerage pipelines, causing hardships to the public especially during rainy season,” an official said.
Rama Krishna said, “We will conduct awareness programmes on plastic use and issue notices to traders and retailers asking them not to use plastic covers. If people violate the order, they will be penalised.”
However, this is not the first time that the SCB is talking about a complete ban on plastic bags. In 2016, the board had passed a resolution on banning all kinds of plastic but it was not implemented effectively.
In the Secunderabad Cantonment area there is a lack of awareness among the traders and citizens. It is the responsibility of not only the board but also of the elected members to play a key role in creating awareness about the plastic-ban.