Bhubaneswar, Feb. 20: Rourkela, which has been included in the list of smart cities, will ban the use of plastic and polythene materials from next month.

The Rourkela Municipal Corporation will impose the ban.

"We are acting upon the national guideline that anything below 50 microns should be banned," said city health officer Basant Mishra, adding that this was also part of the smart city drive.

The civic body officials said that though no specific deadline had been fixed for imposing the ban, it would be done from next month.

From next month, any shopkeeper or trader, who wants to use the polythene carry bags, will have to pay a fixed amount to the civic body.

For example, a small trader or a shopkeeper will have to pay Rs 4,000, and for a big trader or showroom owner, the amount is Rs 8,000.

The shopkeepers will charge between Rs 2 and Rs 5 from the customers for plastic carry bags.

"They will have to register with the corporation and pay the money on a monthly or annual basis," said Mishra.

"Depending upon the seized amount of banned polythene or plastic, the violator will have to pay a fine that may range from Rs 100 to Rs 10,000," he said.

Residents have welcomed the move.

"Initially it may create a bit inconvenience in case of carrying items from shops, but gradually people will get used to the practice," said Sobha Patnaik, a home-maker.

Sources said a few entrepreneurs were unhappy with the decision.

"This is really going to pose problem for us and will affect many people directly and indirectly," said a polythene unit owner on condition of anonymity.