Mumbai:
Cracking the whip on all those throwing plastic bags in drains, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation(BMC) has fined nearly 150 people and collected Rs 1.32 lakh in a fortnight.
Taking lessons from 26 July deluge, when plastic bags had blocked drains and led to flooding in the city, the civic body has formed two 'plastic ban' squads consisting of six people.
"We have collected a fine of Rs 1.32 lakh from 146 people who were caught throwing plastic in drains in the last 12-13 days. These people are largely hawkers and shopkeepers," said Deputy Municipal Commissioner Rajendra Bhosale.
On June 11, Municipal Commissioner Swadhin Kshatriya had announced that anyone caught throwing plastic, thermocol and other items during monsoon will have to pay fine ranging from Rs100 to Rs 5,000.
"These cases are mostly from eastern suburbs like Kurla, Mulund, Chembur, Govandi and others followed by western suburbs and the island city," Bhosale said.
Drain clogging had led to massive flooding on 26 July, 2005, forcing the state government to contemplate banning polythene bags.
As per the Maharashtra Non-biodegradable Garbage Control Act, the minimum thickness of plastic carry bags must be 50 micron and their size should be no less than 8x12 inches.