The empowered standing committee of Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC) on Tuesday banned the use of plastic, paving the way for a clean and safe city.

The committee approved the Plastic Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2011, which was notified by the Centre two years ago in February. The rules would now be taken up in the next meeting of the civic body board for the final nod.

Once done, residents should be prepared to shell out a few more bucks to carry their purchases home like in other cities, including Calcutta.

Mayor Afzal Imam told The Telegraph: “The proposal for approval of the Plastic Rules was under the consideration of the civic body and it was approved today (Tuesday) by the standing committee. The rules have been approved to ensure conservation of the environment in the city.”

The civic body officials said the ban on plastic carry bags would ensure that the drains are not clogged. It is one of the biggest reasons for the frequent waterlogging in the city, like in Marufganj on Tuesday.

A senior officer said: “Plastic bags occupy the highest volume of the waste taken out during the cleaning of drains. Open drains are often completely choked with these and most of our resources, including huge funds, are spent in taking out the plastic bags and disposing them scientifically. At times, our drainage pump houses also develop snags.”

Some of the features of the Plastic Waste Rules notified by the Union ministry of environment and forests include ban on manufacture and use of recyclable carry bags less than 40 microns and prohibition on the use of recyclable plastic materials in sachets for storing, packing or selling tobacco products. It also envisages that no carry bags should be made available free of cost to consumers.

The municipal authority concerned had to determine the minimum price of the carry bags. The municipal body would also be responsible for setting up collection centres for plastic waste involving manufacturers and ensure it is properly recycled and the waste is not openly burnt.

The state pollution control board concerned also has to keep a check on manufacture and recycling of plastic. Sources in Bihar State Pollution Control Board, however, said most of the plastic manufacturing units in Patna City do not have the technology to manufacture bags below the permissible level of thickness. The prohibited ones come mostly from outside the state.

Environment experts hailed the PMC’s decision. “Plastic bags are non-bio-degradable, so their shelf life is high. At times, it can take 500 to 1,000 years for plastic bags to decompose. It leads to degradation of soil and is a threat to cattle in case they consume it,” said Ashok Ghosh of the department of environment and water management, AN College.