Kolkata's New Town markets to see anti-plastic drives starting today ( July 7); fines to be collected online

To ensure compliance with the nationwide ban on the use of 19 single-use plastic items which includes polybags of less than 75 microns thickness, the New Town Kolkata Development Authority will carry out an anti-plastic drive in the New Town area markets starting today, July 7.

TN City Desk

Updated Jul 7, 2022, 16:29 IST

Anti-plastic drives in Kolkata's New Town markets

Representational image

Photo : PTI

Kolkata: The New Town Kolkata Development Authority (NKDA) will carry out its anti-plastic drive starting today, July 7. This drive aims to penalise shoppers and vendors at New Town markets for using banned single-use plastic (SUP) bags that are less than 75 microns in thickness.

According to NKDA officials, violation of the plastic ban will invite a Rs 500 fine for sellers, and shoppers will have to pay 50 if seen using the banned SUP carry bags. The fine will be collected through online transaction mode.

The development authority will be sending a text message to repeat offenders about the fines and the link for online payment will also be attached to the same message, said an official, as reported by the Times of India.

The drive starts from the NKDA market at Action Area I and will cover three more markets. Officials said that they have also been putting up notices.

Moreover, The Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has already started penalising residents of Salt Lake and other areas within its jurisdiction for using single-use plastic bags.

In an effort to discourage people from using the banned plastic bags, awareness campaigns were held for a period of two months, and alternatives like Jute bags were also distributed. According to BMC officials, most shopkeepers in Salt Lake are now complying with the rule.

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