Despite the ban imposed by National Green Tribunal (NGT), use of polythene bags is still rampant in the national Capital. Though the municipal corporations claimed to have implemented the order with an iron hand, it seems that they have turned a blind eye to shopkeepers flouting the norms.
Random visits to markets in the city on Tuesday revealed that from vegetable vendors to grocery stores, plastic bags are being used rampantly. Some of the shopkeepers and vendors also said that they cannot stop using it due to lack of alternative. However, the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) claimed to have collected over Rs 5,25,000, while issued 80 challans and seized over 328 kg (approx) polythene bags during November 1 to 20, by carrying out raids in the markets. Similarly, North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NMC) claimed to have seized 6,680 kg plastic till November 16 this year.
Suman Prasad, one of the vendors, who sell vegetable and fruits in a weekly market, said that generally customers do not bring bags and if we will not provide polythene bags they will not purchase from here.
One can witness roads covered with litter of plastic bags after weekly markets are over. These bags later go into nullahs and then drains, resulting in choked sewers in the city and provide perfect ground for mosquito breeding.
Sahil Khan, a resident of Hakikat Nagar in North Delhi, said, “Using these bags are a compulsion. I purchase vegetables and other daily items while returning from office so I cannot always carry bags.”
However, he also said that it is the responsibility of the civic bodies to create awareness among masses and stringent action against violators can be taken to deter them providing these bags. “It all about developing habit to carry a bag and this should be motivated also,” he added.
Many of the shopkeepers said that there is no alternative to these bags. “These bags are easy to carry and customers object if not provided,” they said.
One of fruit vendors at Kashmiri Gate, Nihal Singh was not even aware about the NGT order. “I had no idea that the plastic bags have been banned. We all here sell fruits in plastic bags and no one ever informed me that it is banned,” he said.
Pointing at the collective responsibility of residents as well civic authorities, Madan Sahay, a school teacher and a resident of Vijay Nagar, said banning things cannot be solution to any problem but motivating people by creating awareness is more affective.
However, a senior official of a municipal corporation said that measures have been taken to book the violators and public awareness is also being spread regarding the order.
Plastic is the major source of environmental pollution as it cannot decay naturally, creating lots of damages such as choking drains, water-bodies and adding to the load of the already-exhausted landfill sites.
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