Despite the public awareness drives reportedly undertaken by the authorities, the general public in Dehradun was unaware of the complete ban on polythene on Wednesday-when the stringent enforcement of the ban was started by the State Government.
As a result, on the first day of the enforcement of the ban, many people in the city were found to be using the banned items in the market.
Sunita, a resident of Premnagar said, “I was unaware of the ban. All the vendors near Moti bazaar and old post office are selling items in polythene bags. It is a good thing if such a ban is implemented in the State. We will follow the rules and will carry cloth bags in the future.”
Chandra Shekhar Singh a shopkeeper near Clock Tower said, “Polythene bags cost Rs 20-30 per set which has around 70 to 80 bags. On the other hand, the synthetic bags cost Rs 150 per set which has 60 to 70 small bags. If the rate of the synthetic bag decreases then every local vendor can afford it.
Also, if the manufacturing and supply of the polythene bag will stop then no one will use polythene bags.”
Meanwhile, the Municipal Corporation of Dehradun (MCD) officials inspected the market in the city to enforce the ban. Under the direction of the municipal commissioner Vijay Kumar Jogdande and additional municipal commissioner Neeraj Joshi the drive was held in Tehsil Chowk, Dispensary Road, Darshanlal Chowk, and Clock Tower among other places.
About 150 shops were checked with 40 shops found having banned polythene bags and thermocol disposables which were seized. Shopkeepers were given warning not to use polythene bags for selling purpose failing which they would have to pay a fine.
The eight teams which were formed by the MCD earlier conducted the drive in various places in the city including Majra Road, Rajpur Road, Dalanwala, Kanwli Road, Sahastradhara Road, Vijay Colony, Dl Road, Jhanda Mohalla, Indira Colony and other localities.
About 413 shops were checked in these areas with the banned items being found in 160 shops. A total of 69 kg polythene and thermocol items were seized by the MCD in the areas.
Officials from the MCD also placed posters in the shops about the polythene and thermocol ban. Along with this they also informed people through announcements about the ban. No fine was imposed on the first day of the drive.