Staff reporter
Guwahati: Nearly two years after Assam enforced a ban on single-use plastics in line with a national directive, the state continues to grapple with mounting plastic waste, especially in its capital city, Guwahati. The situation exposes a glaring disconnect between policy and ground reality, raising questions about the effectiveness of the state’s environmental efforts.
Despite the July 2022 directive banning plastic items below 120 microns, including carry bags, cups, spoons, and plates, these products remain readily available in markets across the city. Vendors openly display them, and customers continue to use them with little hesitation. Officials admit that enforcement has been patchy and largely ineffective.
“The plastic ban exercise is not successful because the cooperation of the general public is not encouraging,” a senior official from the Pollution Control Board, Assam (PCBA), said. Despite widespread awareness campaigns, including leaflet distribution, school outreach, and public announcements, the response has been tepid.
The PCBA, Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC), and district administrations were collectively tasked with implementing the ban. However, poor coordination and lack of follow-up have weakened the effort. “Circle officers were directed to act, but most haven’t even responded to our communications,” a PCBA official revealed.
Guwahati generates around 600 metric tonnes of waste daily, with plastic forming up to 60% of the total on some days. Yet, only about 100 municipal police personnel are deployed to enforce the ban in the sprawling city. GMC officials say that enforcement raids are conducted daily, but these are more reactive than preventive.
“In markets, as soon as we raid one shop, the entire area becomes plastic-free in minutes. But once we leave, it’s back to business as usual,” said a GMC official. Although around 300 vendors have been fined Rs 500 each this year, the use of banned plastics remains rampant.
Interestingly, officials claim that six plastic manufacturing units in Guwahati were shut down before the ban came into force, and no legal units operate now. Yet, the continuous supply of banned plastics suggests sourcing from outside the state or through illicit networks.
The environmental fallout is most visible during the monsoon. Water-logging and urban flooding in Guwahati worsens each year as plastic-laden drains clog up the city’s drainage system. Just weeks ago, several storm water drains had to be manually cleared, once again highlighting the consequences of poor enforcement.
“The logic is that certain plastics are essential for packaging and logistics, so a blanket ban isn’t feasible. But that shouldn’t justify weak enforcement of already banned items,” a PCBA official said.
The GMC has indicated plans to intensify action, including penalizing citizens carrying plastic bags in public. However, officials maintain that enforcement alone will not solve the problem.
“Municipality alone cannot enforce the ban unless there is a collective effort by all stakeholders and the general public,” a GMC representative noted.
Environmentalists and civic bodies agree that Assam must go beyond token gestures. Without strong enforcement, public participation, and control over plastic sourcing, the state’s anti-plastic campaign risks becoming yet another symbolic move buried under mounting garbage.
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