VISAKHAPATNAM:Carrying a plastic cover with thickness of less than 40 microns might attract trouble for Vizagites from now on. The Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) authorities imposed a blanket ban on manufacturing, sale and use of plastic bags below 40 microns thickness in the city limits commencing Sunday.
Addressing the sanitation workers at GVMC office premises here Sunday, GVMC commissioner Pravin Kumar said that the government has already banned the manufacture, sale and use of such plastic bags long ago, but it was not implemented for various reasons. But that is about to change now.
“Checks will be conducted across the city and people carrying plastic bags/covers below 40 microns thickness will face severe action. We will not hesitate to slap fines and even lodge cases against violators in the court,” he added. He urged consumers, manufacturers and sellers to cooperate with the municipal authorities to make Vizag a plastic-free city.
Soon after he took charge as the municipal commissioner, Pravin Kumar announced that making Visakhapatnam plastic-free was top on his agenda and soon constituted a task-force for enforcing the ban in the city. However, strict implementation was put on hold after plastic carry bag manufacturers and retailers agreed to comply with the norms but sought a month’s time to dispose of the existing stock.
With the one month period coming to close Sunday, the municipal commissioner made it clear that manufacture and sale of plastic bags below 40 microns thickness will not be allowed. Seeking the co-operation of all concerned in making the city plastic-free, the Commissioner said the task force would conduct raids to check violators.