The Chennai Corporation has planned to resume enforcement action against shopkeepers using plastic on Marina beach this Pongal.
Following a drive to classify outlets into those selling ‘safe’ and ‘unsafe’ food on the beach, initiated a few weeks ago, the civic body has decided to conduct the drive to enforce the plastic ban from January 10.
“We will impose a fine on violators. Most of the 700 food business operators are using plastic, causing pollution on Marina,” said a Corporation official.
It has been almost four years since the Corporation imposed a ban on the use of disposable plastic on the beach. However, vendors and customers continue to use plastic, violating the ban meant to keep the beach free of used water packets, packaged water bottles, plastic packaging material, bags and cups.
A few years ago, following the ban, the Corporation had reported a dip in the usage of plastic on the beach. But currently, disposed plastic goods present an eyesore on the beach sands, even though the number of conservancy workers has been increased from 40 to 120.
As thousands are expected to throng the beach during Pongal, the Corporation also plans to intensify enforcement against illegal food business operators. “Enforcement of the plastic ban will be carried out in addition to food raids planned before Pongal,” said the official.
Unsafe food products sold on the beach will also be confiscated by the Corporation’s health department officials from Saturday. Food business operators selling unhygienic products will be given yet another set of instructions regarding the preparation of safe food following a directive from the Madras High Court. Shelf-life, use of colouring agents and growth of micro-organisms in food sold on the beach will also be assessed.
