To make Navi Mumbai plastic-free, the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) is raising public awareness about avoiding single-use plastic and taking strict action against violators.
The anti-plastic enforcement team of Zone 2 recently conducted inspections at Rekha Sweets in Sector 1, Ghansoli, where they discovered over 1 kg of plastic bags and single-use plastic. The shop was fined Rs 5,000.
Similar action was taken against Vinayak Sweet Mart and Balaji Super Market in Koparkhairane, with each establishment facing a Rs 5,000 fine for violating the plastic ban regulations.
Earlier, on December 10 and 11, NMMC carried out an intensive two-day campaign to curb single-use plastic. This operation resulted in the collection of over ₹1.10 lakh in fines and the seizure of 38.85 kg of prohibited plastic materials.
Flying squads from Zone 1 and Zone 2, led by Deputy Commissioners Somnath Potre and Dr. Kailas Gaikwad, inspected various shops and penalized those found using banned plastic bags and other single-use plastic items.
In the Belapur ward, enforcement actions against five shops led to Rs30,000 in fines and confiscation of 7 kg of banned plastic. Similarly, in the Nerul ward, fines totaling Rs 10,000 were imposed, and 2.5 kg of plastic was seized.
In the Vashi and Turbhe wards, three shops were penalized, resulting in Rs30,000 in fines and the seizure of 13.5 kg of banned plastic materials.
The drive saw active participation from Zonal Deputy Commissioner Somnath Potre, Solid Waste Management Department Deputy Commissioner Dr. Ajay Gadade, and other civic officials.