Raid by CMC officials to curb use of polythene in Cuttack. Pictures by Badrika Nath Das

Cuttack, June 5: The Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) launched a crackdown on the use of polythene by conducting raids at different parts of the city today.

Two special squads, which included senior officers of the corporation, conducted the raids and seized huge quantities of polythene being used by roadside vendors, hotels, restaurants and other business establishments.

One team led by CMC secretary Ashutosh Samal conducted raids at Gaurishankar Park and Buxi Bazar in zone-2 while slum improvement officer Shayam Sundar Sethi conducted raids at Badambadi bus stand, Link Road, Madhu Patna and College Square areas in zone-1.

“A massive campaign has been launched to put an end to the use of polythene that is harmful for the people and the environment,” said Samal.

According to Samal, around three to four quintals of polythene were seized during the drive. Earlier, in 2009 the CMC had launched a similar campaign to create awareness among the people. Though the move to make the city cleaner and greener by restricting the use of polythene was welcomed by most people, many including vendors opposed the CMC drive today.

“It is completely irrational to seize polythene from the shops. We had kept the polythene that had earlier been approved by CMC. Now, without making any formal announcements, raids were conducted and the officers seized all the materials,” said Kamalakant Pani, 28, a vendor at Badambadi bus stand.

“We welcome the move to ban polythene use but at the same time the CMC should initiate concrete steps to ensure that other food products using polythene packets such as milk were checked,” said Samir Barik, 40, a local resident.

He said alternatives like paper and jute bags should be provided by the corporation at affordable prices so that vendors, shop owners and consumers do not face problems. On the other hand, CMC officials have admitted that the ongoing drive against polythene would face resistance from the people.

However, the entire operation would be intensified in coming days as efforts were being initiated to make the city clean.

A ban on polythene was also a necessity because excessive use of polythene was said to be the prime reason for the choking of drains resulting in waterlogging during monsoon.

Adequate steps were being taken to provide alternative paper and jute bags which have been priced between Rs 10 and Rs 12.Moreover, the drive would also continue in the evening and various kalyan mandaps would be raided.

The prime objective was to ensure that adequate awareness was being created among the people in the city, Samal added.