Total plastic ban from today

Tirupati: Be aware, residents caught buying and using plastic in temple city will be liable to punishment from Tuesday (October 2) onwards. The Municipal Corporation of Tirupati (MCT) banned the plastic by applying the same rules of the Hyderabad Municipal Corporation Act, 1955.

MCT Commissioner Vijay Rama Raju has formed 10 teams at zonal-level to conduct raids on traders selling plastic bags and to educate people about the adverse impact on the environment with the usage of plastic. Similarly, 50 special teams at ward-level were set up to impose the plastic ban in residential colonies. Before imposing the ban, the MCT conducted three-month public awareness campaign.

The campaign includes conducting workshops, cultural activities, rallies, educating residents of apartments and house owners in wards against plastic usage. For the first time offender, a fine of Rs 5,000 will be imposed.

If the same offender caught for the second time, the civic body will impose Rs 15,000 as fine. Likewise, if any trader found selling plastic covers, the MCT will collect a fine of Rs 25,000 and will cancel trade licence too.

Two days ago, a plastic dumping zone was set up at Indira Maidan and civic body asked residents to throw plastic waste in the dump. Responding to call, students and residents have dumped the plastic related material in the dump.

To create massive awareness about the ill-effects of using plastic on Monday, the civic body has organised rallies with students. The streets of temple city reverberated with students raising slogans against plastic usage and urged the people not to use plastic for their daily needs.

At the end of the programme, District Collector PS Pradyumna has set a fire to plastic effigy at Indira Maidan. TUDA Chairman Narasimha Yadav, Tirupati MLA Suguna, officials and students from various schools were present.