Udupi CMC to ban all plastic carry bags from September 15

Leader of the Opposition in the CMC Jayananda said that ban of plastic carry bags would hit the traders and especially fish-sellers hard

The Udupi City Municipal Council (CMC) will ban the use of all kinds of plastic bags in the city from September 15. This decision was taken at the general body meeting of the CMC here on Tuesday.

Kiran Kumar, CMC president, said that disposal of plastic waste was proving a big problem for the CMC. A large number of people, who were visiting temples and beaches, were using and disposing plastic carry bags. This was also affecting the beauty of the city, he said.

S.P. Kudva, councillor, said that a lot of plastic cups and plates were being used in marriage halls. All dinning tables in marriage halls were covered by thin plastic sheets while serving meals, he said. Mr. Kumar directed the Environment Officer to cut off electricity supply to such marriage halls and even cancel their licences, if necessary.

M.R. Pai, councillor, said that such a ban could not be implemented successfully without the support of the people. Hence it was essential to create awareness on the problems of plastic and about this measure, he said.

Leader of the Opposition in the CMC Jayananda said that ban of plastic carry bags would hit the traders and especially fish-sellers hard.

Self help groups (SHGs) making carry bags made of cloth and paper would benefit from the ban, he said.

Garbage collection

Mr. Kumar said that the CMC was planning to implement a new garbage collection system in 11 wards of the city. Under the new system, fees would be collected from commercial complex and shops for collection of garbage. But no fees would be collected from the households in these wards. A meeting of the councillors of these 11 wards would be called next week to discuss the issue. If this system was successful, it would be extended to the remaining 24 wards in the city, Mr. Kumar said.

Mohan Upadhya, councillor, said that though the CMC had taken up works of desilting storm water drains, the workers were keeping the dirt collected from drains by its side. With the result, the rain water had taken the dirt back to the drains. Instead tippers should have immediately lifted this dirt and carried them away, he said.

Mr. Kumar said that he had asked the Deputy Commissioner to relieve officers who were not interested in doing their work properly.

MLA Raghupati Bhat said that the Karavali Junction–Malpe Road would be widened by the PWD after land acquisition.