Kochi: Fire triggers ban on plastic

Kochi: In the wake of the massive fire at Brahma-puram waste treatment plant and the increasing menace of plastic garbage, the Kochi Corporation has decided to strictly enforce the ban on  the sale and use of plastic carry bags with thickness of less than 50 microns.

A meeting of the corporation council on Thursday decided to enforce a blanket ban on thin plastic carry bags from August 15. The civic authorities will start enforcement of the ban from March 1 (Friday) onwards. Surprise raids will be conducted on all shops and commercial establishments from Friday.

The corporation has also decided to buy 10-gauge micrometres to help civic officials in checking the thickness of carry bags. The details of the carry bags, including their thickness, will be recorded during the inspection using the equipment.

The opposition and ruling council members raised serious apprehensions over the ticking bomb of plastic garbage at Brahmapuram. They came down heavily on the apathy of the civic administration in enforcing the ban on carry bags.

“Though there has been a ban on the use of thin bags as per Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 formulated by the Union government, they are available in plenty in all shops in the city. The local body has done nothing to control or prevent their use,” alleged Mr V.P. Chandran, CPM councillor.

C.K. Peter of the CPM also demanded immediate implementation of Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016. He urged the mayor to take measures to encourage the use of cloth and eco-friendly bags.

Replying to the debate, the mayor said that health inspectors had been asked to conduct surprise inspections and take stringent measures against traders who violate the norms.