Pune: Days after flash-flooding in the city caused by unseasonal heavy rain, PMC has declared a renewed drive against users and traders of banned plastic, while attributing the recent waterlogging to dumped trash on roads. According to civic officials, the downpour on April 2 led to a flood-like situation, after which large amounts of plastic waste were found stuck in drains, blocking stormwater chambers. This has prompted fresh action against those flouting the plastic ban.The declaration has invited sharp criticism from civic activists and environment enthusiasts, who claim that PMC’s announcement is merely an act of face-saving. Many argued that the civic administration is failing to act strictly against manufacturers of non-biodegradable materials since long, and such drives are typically only launched to pacify public anger following mismanagement and mishaps, dying down within a few days until the next disaster occurs.Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) data shows that from Jan to March this year, legal action — including charging fines — was taken against only 200-odd individuals to implement the plastic ban. A total of 920kg of banned plastic has been seized, and fines amounting to Rs11.46 lakh have been collected in this period.“The demand for plastic items increases during festive seasons. From big shops to roadside vendors, everyone uses plastic bags,” said Shantanu Gosavi, a resident of Kothrud and environment enthusiast. He added, “PMC must act frequently against users of banned plastic in market places, and should target the source of plastic generation. Manufacturers need to be taken to task.”As per PMC directives, the manufacturing, importing, stocking, distribution and sale of single-use plastic has been banned, including items like plastic bags and polypropylene bags. The ban has been introduced on wrapping or packaging films around sweet boxes, plastic cutlery, straws and plastic sticks for balloons and ear buds, invitation cards, cigarette packets, etc. The orders also state that the thickness of banned plastic ranges from 75 microns to 120 microns, implemented from Dec 31, 2022, onwards.Pune city generates nearly 1,600 tonne (MT) of garbage daily, of which 250 tonne is wet garbage and 850 tonne is dry, while 500 tonne is mixed garbage. At least 15% of this garbage is plastic.Residents further demanded that PMC properly manage garbage segregation spots. KN Peethambaran, a Balewadi resident, said a segregation site near Sai Chowk in their area is creating a nuisance. “A patch of footpath near a thickly populated residential area is being utilised for garbage segregation, rendering the pavement useless. The entire spot stinks terribly and most pedestrians avoid it. Such activities could also lead to spread of diseases,” he claimed.When contacted by TOI, Avinash Sapkal, deputy commissioner of the solid waste management department of PMC, said, “The civic administration has already appointed ward officers and central teams to conduct drives, but we want to increase the impact of this action. So, instructions have been issued to intensify the same.”
