Corporation officials said some smaller establishments were still using plastics.

CHENNAI: The corporation seized more than 320 tonnes of banned plastic in 2019 from various establishments including manufacturers and wholesale dealers. However, small establishments continue to use plastic bags, which the civic body is confident of phasing out this year.

Plastic ban was enforced in the state since the beginning of 2019. An estimated ₹90 lakh has been collected as fine so far, say officials. While enforcement drive was in full swing in the initial months, monsoon preparedness and other civic infrastructure works put plastic raids on the backseat in the latter end of the year, say officials. Of the total amount of plastic seized, a little over ten tonnes was seized in the past three months. Officials said that while raids are carried out from time to time, only the smaller establishments are found using plastic bags, which they had stocked and hence the seizure seems smaller.

Three weeks ago, extensive raids were conducted in Valasaravakkam Zone (Zone 11), in Nolambur , Poonamalee High Road, Kundrathur Main Road, Porur. As many as 155 establishments- eateries, department stores, street side vendors were surveyed and 10 kg of plastic was seized from about 14 establishments.

A footwear showroom on Kundrathur Main Road, Porur, which was found using banned plastic, was sealed by the authorities.

In all 15 zones in the city, over 3.6 lakh premises have been raided till December 2019, officials said. The highest amount of fine collected is ₹14.9 lakh in Royapuram (Zone 5).

