Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation look up to other states for banned plastic disposal

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has decided to look at other states to get contractor who can dispose off plastics, seized by blue squad, scientifically. In the second consecutive attempts, the civic body failed to get bidders, registered with the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB), to dispose off plastic.

The BMC had decided to auction banned plastic bags it seized and stored in its godowns. Till March thrid week, the BMC has already seized over 51,000 kgs of banned plastic.

A senior official from the market department said that they are looking for ways to relax conditions so that bidders from other states affiliated to their respective pollution board can also bid. "There are limited number of agencies in Maharashtra involved in scientific disposal of plastic. And, after plastic ban across the state, many of them have stopped functioning," said the official.

The BMC had floated tender second time in February for disposal of plastic kept in godowns after seizing. However, not a single bidder showed interest. According to official, from the market department, the delay in getting contractor is certain conditions. "As per the MPCB, the bidder must be registered to avoid any malpractices," said the official.

The Maharashtra government had banned the single-use plastic in April 2018. A three-month grace was given by the state government to enable citizens, establishments and other organisations to stop the use of prohibited items and dispose of the plastic material at the collection centres.

For speedy collection of banned plastic, the BMC also put up numerous trolley bins across the city. A 300-member blue squad consisting of officials from the market, license and shop and establishments department was formed. They visited shops and checked for banned plastic items. The team visited over six lakh shops and collected fined over Rs 2.5 crore.

Plastic Ban

Maharashtra government had banned the single-use plastic on April 2018. 3-month grace was given to enable citizens, establishments to stop the use of prohibited items.