Amaravati, November 22, 2025: Vijayawada's streets and markets continue to brim with single-use plastic bags and wrappers, defying the 2016 state ban that outlawed their production and sale, as residents and vendors cite convenience over compliance in the face of lax policing.
The NTR district, a bustling commercial hub, sees daily violations where grocery stalls and eateries dole out polythene packets unchecked, contributing to clogged drains and polluted canals despite occasional drives by municipal teams. A spot check by local activists revealed 70% of shoppers still rely on banned items, with alternatives like cloth bags scarce and costlier.
The Greater Vijayawada Municipal Corporation attributes the shortfall to insufficient fines and limited recycling infrastructure, while environmental groups blame low public education on the law's scope, which spares thicker plastics but targets everyday carriers. Statewide, similar patterns persist in urban centres, with only 20% compliance reported.
