Rampant use of plastic carry bags with thickness of less than 60 micron has put a question mark on environmental safety in the steel city here.
Despite a ban on the use of plastic bags, the Rourkela Municipality has not been able to do much in discouraging its use as it lacks the equipment for checking thickness. The Deputy Controller, State Pollution Control Board, Rourkela, said the responsibility to implement the rules lies with the Rourkela Municipality and it should take action against the people who violate the rule, but unfortunately the civic body was not showing any earnestness for enforcement of rules.
Rourkela Municipality Executive Officer DP Mohapatra said through public address system, an awareness programme was launched in the city not to use the low quality plastic bags.
Even, warning for stringent action against the offenders had been given. But due to Chhat Parab in October last week and Chhadakhai in November first week, the enforcement process had been delayed. But very soon a coordination meeting among the civic body, district administration and police would be held to make a strategy to enforce the ban after November 15, he asserted.
It may be noted here that every day the city (both Steel Township and municipality area) generates more than 250 metric tonnes of solid waste. Plastic bags contribute 40 per cent of the waste. The bags choke the drainage channels. From reliable source it is learnt that low quality polythene is manufactured in two units in the locality. If municipality and police jointly conduct raid at the source points maximum problems could be solved.
Similarly, despite the ban on the use of gutkha pouches wrapped in plastic, the pouches have again made their way into various outlets across the city due to lack of regular inspection.