Noida: A group of residents in Noida filed a complaint in the National Green Tribunal (NGT) regarding the continued availability of single-use plastic in the district despite a statewide ban on it.
The residents said plastic bags, pet bottles and cutlery are all easily available across several markets and the authorities have done little to control the sale and use of such material.
According to the petition, inspection, as well as inquiry, has never been done by the authorities to check the use of such plastic material.
“The easy availability of plastic bags and cutlery, despite an official ban from January 2016 indicates that these products are either being produced in the state or being transported from outside. But the implementation of the rules remains weak and the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)’s report shows that no state-level monitoring committee has been formed yet to monitor the compliance. Additionally, there is no data available on the amount of prohibited plastics being manufactured, exported, imported, segregated and recycled. Accurate data is crucial for the effective implementation of the policy,” states the petition.
The complainants have attached copies of RTIs, complaints made by CPCB and other reports to substantiate that the plastic ban has not been effective in Noida. The complainants also noted that most of the plastic manufacturing units are located in neighbouring Delhi and no effective steps have been taken to ensure that it is not transported to Noida.
“We have organised several campaigns for plastic-free Noida and are conducting awareness drives as well. However, there is strict enforcement needed to curb plastic usage. Even now, many markets and shops freely use plastic bottles, boxes and cutlery. These are also adding to the increasing municipal solid waste of the city and often lead to choking of drains, flooding Noida roads during monsoon,” said Abhisht Kusum Gupta, the complainant from residents’ group World Class Noida.