Navi Mumbai: As part of its campaign to make the city plastic-free, the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has taken strict action against businesses found using banned single-use plastic items. Since May 1, 21 establishments have been penalized, resulting in the collection of Rs 1.05 lakh in fines and the seizure of over 103 kilograms of plastic.
The civic body’s enforcement drive is being carried out under the leadership of Municipal Commissioner Dr. Kailas Shinde. The action combines awareness efforts with field inspections to curb the use of prohibited plastic products.
In Zone I, under the supervision of Deputy Commissioner Somnath Potre, the flying squad inspected multiple establishments. Action was taken against six shops, leading to Rs 30,000 in penalties and seizure of 58 kilograms of banned plastic materials.
Zone II saw even more aggressive enforcement. Deputy Commissioner Dr. Kailas Gaikwad led the team that took action against 15 shops and establishments. This resulted in the collection of Rs 75,000 in fines and the confiscation of 45.4 kilograms of single-use plastic.
Recent inspections in Koparkhairane yielded further penalties. On May 19, 'Jai Goga Mart' in Sector 1 was fined Rs 5,000 after plastic bags were found on the premises. One kilogram of plastic was seized. Similar violations were reported earlier in the week—on May 16, Darshan Solanki’s shop in Sector 2 was fined Rs 5,000 and had 1 kg of plastic seized; on May 15, Royal Electric Hardware in Sector 12, Bonkode, faced similar action.
The NMMC has reiterated its call for citizens to support the mission by discontinuing the use of plastic bags and switching to environmentally friendly alternatives such as paper and cloth bags. “A plastic-free Navi Mumbai can only be realized with the active involvement of residents,” the civic body stated in an official release.
The municipal corporation plans to continue its strict enforcement alongside ongoing awareness drives to ensure long-term environmental sustainability in the city.
