Plastic Bag Crackdown in Pune: Rs 1.37 Crore Collected in Fines Over 3 Years
Pune, 4th June 2025: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has intensified its crackdown on plastic bag usage, collecting a total of ₹1.37 crore in fines over the past three years as part of Maharashtra’s statewide plastic ban enforcement. More than 10,000 kilograms of plastic bags have been confiscated and disposed of during this period.
The ban, which targets plastic bags with a thickness of less than 50 microns, has led to a series of raids across the city. Offenders have been fined amounts ranging from ₹5,000 to ₹15,000 depending on the scale of violation, according to Sandeep Kadam, Head of PMC’s Solid Waste Department.
“Action will be further intensified in the coming days. Flying squads have been deployed across the city to inspect markets, Mangal Karyalayas (wedding halls), mutton and chicken markets, and vegetable mandis. The focus is to make the city completely plastic-free,” Kadam said.
In addition to punitive action, the PMC has launched a plastic collection campaign in collaboration with social organizations. The initiative has seen encouraging participation from citizens, with awareness drives and community events promoting the use of eco-friendly alternatives like cloth bags.
Targeted Zones
Key areas under scrutiny include the city’s major commercial hubs, traditional marketplaces, and high-footfall zones where plastic usage was found to be rampant. Stocks of banned plastic and thermocol items have been seized from several shops in these localities.
Citizens Respond
The PMC’s efforts are being complemented by civic participation. Awareness programs promoting plastic-free alternatives have gained momentum, with more residents switching to reusable cloth bags.
What’s Next?
With flying squads now actively patrolling the city and further inspections planned, the PMC aims to send a strong message to retailers and consumers still violating the plastic ban. “We are committed to making Pune a model city for plastic waste management,” Kadam emphasized.
