Bangalore, August 1: With the motto of “Banning plastic and saving the environment!”, the state of Karnataka has something interesting stored in for you. The state already has banned plastic since 2015. The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), that had enforced the plastic ban in the city, three years ago, which the civic agency will now implement with the help of technology.
Yes, you heard that right! Karnataka has first imposed a ban on plastics below 40 microns and banned the use and manufacture of plastic bags of any thickness.
The Commissioner of the civic agency described how the devices and the ticket-vending machines used by the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) will be used. It will have additional features such as a camera, and a screen enabled with the Global Positioning System (GPS) interface. The machines will be procured locally and can be modified to meet the agency’s requirements.
The Commissioner is optimistic about the new hi-tech gadgets and has said that it will be in place in two months, with penalties being accepted by cash or even card. Well, don’t be caught using a plastic bag, when you are in Karnataka. Or else you will need to cough up a fine. A welcome step by the BBMP to combat the plastic menace we face.