The plastic waste in Dehradun has increased during the lockdown after the State Government temporarily lifted the ban on the use of polythene bags and some other plastic items.

To resume the ban on these products after the lockdown, the Municipal Corporation of Dehradun (MCD) will give about 15 days to all the institutions and bodies in the city to entirely stop using polythene bags, disposable plastic utensils and other such prohibited items.

While talking to The Pioneer, Dehradun municipal commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey said that the State Government took the decision of temporarily lifting the ban during the lockdown to provide food, water and some other essential items because it was not possible to pack all such things without plastic and send it to those in need during the lockdown.

The plastic waste has surely increased during the lockdown, but as soon as the lockdown ends, the municipal corporation will take necessary steps to restore the ban on plastic items in the city, stated Pandey.

However, he said that initially, all the enterprises in the city will be given the notice period of about 15 days to completely cease the use of the banned plastic items and let them know that the use of plastic is not allowed anymore. Subsequently, if anyone is found using the banned plastic products, MCD will take appropriate action against them, informed Pandey.

Meanwhile, on the question of whether MCD will resume its campaign "Main Besharam Vyakti hu" (I Am a Shameless Person) in which the corporation imposes fine on the commercial bodies that do not maintain sanitisation or keep dustbins outside their buildings, Pandey said it will probably be resumed once the lockdown ends in Dehradun.