30,000 kg of plastic bags seized in Delhi

New Delhi, Oct 29 : Following a National Green Tribunal (NGT) order banning plastic bags less than 50 micron in thickness in the national capital, 30,000 kg of plastic bags have been seized in the city, an official statement said.

Also 1,650 challans have been issued and Rs 31.8 lakh has been collected as environmental compensation fine.

On August 10, the NGT had imposed an interim ban on use of plastic bags with thickness less than 50 microns in Delhi and also imposed a fine of Rs 5,000 on violators.

The drive against plastic bags was conducted by New Delhi Municipal Council, three municipal corporations of Delhi, Delhi Cantonment Board and other departments concerned.

Delhi Environment Minister Imran Hussain on Sunday directed officials to intensify implementation of the NGT order and said that banned plastic bags were still being used in the city, according to the statement.

He also urged officials to carry out widespread raids and mass awareness programmes.