Sambalpur: Uncontrolled Use of Polythene and Plastic in SMC Sambalpur
Sambalpur: Despite the Sambalpur Municipal Corporation (SMC) imposing a ban on the use of polythene and plastic in the city, these materials are still being used rampantly. The government has imposed strict restrictions on plastic usage to prevent environmental pollution, and SMC has been conducting regular raids to enforce these restrictions. However, reports indicate that the enforcement is not effective, and there is widespread non-compliance with the ban.
Plastic and polythene are still being used openly in various shops and street vendors across the city. Many large hotels and restaurants in Sambalpur also continue to use these banned materials. The ban is being blatantly violated in open markets, from vegetable vendors to snack shops.
Although SMC has conducted raids and imposed fines on small shops and street vendors, no significant action has been taken against the manufacturers and major suppliers of these materials. Last year, the enforcement wing of SMC raided several business establishments and seized large quantities of polythene and restricted plastic items. However, the enforcement has been idle lately, and there have been no significant raids on the use of restricted plastics.
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Plastic items like polythene plates, cups, bowls, spoons, and thermocol are still in use despite the ban. The continued use of these materials is a major concern for environmental safety. There is a growing demand for action against the businesses violating the rules.
It’s worth noting that the Odisha government banned the use of single-use plastic and polythene from October 2, 2019. The Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change has also imposed regulations on plastic use. A team was formed in SMC to conduct raids, but reports suggest that the team is now inactive. Both state and central government directives include stopping the inter-state transportation of plastic materials and establishing border checkpoints.
