Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar:
The municipal corporation has appealed to citizens to completely avoid the use of plastic carry bags, as large quantities of banned plastic bags are still being smuggled into the city through illegal channels.
The civic body has already seized more than 50 lakh plastic carry bags by conducting raids on traders and warehouses involved in their storage and sale. The solid waste management section carried out an awareness campaign at vegetable markets on Tuesday, urging citizens not to use carry bags. Officials have also warned that penalties will be imposed on individuals found carrying plastic bags.
As part of the initiative, an awareness programme was organised on April 28 at the vegetable market in Hudco N-11. Municipal corporation teams interacted with citizens, explained the harmful effects of plastic pollution, and encouraged the use of cloth bags instead.
Several shop inspections were also conducted, with traders instructed to completely stop using plastic bags. The campaign received a positive response, with around 250 citizens taking a pledge to avoid plastic usage. The initiative was supported by chief sanitary inspectors Suhas Bhale and Prasad Dandge, ward supervisor Rajendra Kharat, ward staff, and awareness representatives Prabhakar Sapkal, Ritika Jadhav, Nitesh Wagh, and Viraj, who played an active role in spreading awareness.