New Delhi: Intensifying its efforts in confiscating polythene bags from traders, stockists, and shopkeepers in order to stop usage of such bags, the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) has seized around 3,800 kg polythene bags in the last 10 days.
The SDMC issued around 350 challans amounting to a fine of '8.1 lakh for possessing polythene bags. In all, 590 properties were inspected to find out the quantity of polythene bags stored there.
Under the South zone of the SDMC, 159 properties were visited; one was sealed; and 2,071 kg of polythene bags were seized. 124 challans amounting to a fine of '6.65 lakh have been issued for possessing polythene bags. Further, 1,590 kg polythene bags have been sent to the waste to energy plant at Okhla for disposal on August.
Under the Central zone, 189 properties were visited; one was sealed; in 12 cases warning was issued; 1, 000 kg polythene bags were seized; and 49 challans amounting to a fine of '2.45 lakh was issued for possessing polythene bags.
Under the Nazafgarh zone, 242 properties were visited; 440 kg polythene bags were seized; 166 challans were issued; and fine was imposed by the court.
Under the West zone, 210 kg polythene bags were seized; eight challans were issued; and a fine amounting to '10,000 was imposed for possessing polythene bags.
In order to bring awareness against the use of polythene bags and to disseminate the harmful effects of polythene, around 35,000 pamphlets have been distributed in various markets, weekly bazaars, and tehbazari markets.
“The residents have been exhorted to avoid using polythene bags. As an alternative, they are encouraged to use paper, jute, and cloth bags for shopping and for other occasions.
“There has been rich tradition of preparing longer lasting, decorative, and simple bags made of jute and cloths. This is the need of the hour and we will have to adopt these bags other than polythene bags in the best interest of nurturing our environment for the future generations,” said a SDMC official.
