While the intentions behind these rules are clear—to reduce plastic waste and maintain public order—their sporadic enforcement undermines their effectiveness.
Inconsistent enforcement of rules by the Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) has drawn criticism from various quarters, with residents and street vendors alike expressing frustration over irregular crackdowns and unclear guidelines.
Despite efforts by GMC and the Pollution Control Board of Assam (PCBA) to enforce a ban on single-use plastic, its use remains widespread across the city, raising questions about the effectiveness and consistency of these regulatory measures.
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The GMC and PCBA announced a ban on single-use plastic beginning June 1, 2022, to curb plastic waste and promote environmental sustainability. However, more than a year later, the ban seems to have had little impact, with many types of plastic still in circulation. While certain plastic items, such as carry bags, have been banned, others like food wrappers, plastic straws, plastic stirrers, chips packets, cups, and tumblers continue to flood the market. These unbanned items contribute to the city's growing plastic waste problem.
Although GMC occasionally conducts raids and drives to enforce the ban, residents report that these are sporadic and not sustained enough to make a meaningful difference. “The problem is that the enforcement drives are not done regularly,” said Akansha Deka, a resident of Guwahati. “Plastic bags and other products are still sold openly in shops across the city. This is one of the reasons why so many drains are clogged.”
The inconsistent enforcement has led to confusion and frustration among residents. Despite the ban, plastic bags are still easily available in markets and stores.
The question remains: If it is banned, why is it still used in shops? Are GMC officials not conducting surveys daily? Are they enforcing the ban only when they wake up and remeber? The lack of a clear, consistent approach to enforcement has undermined the effectiveness of the plastic ban, with many people continuing to use single-use plastics out of habit or convenience.
The lack of effective enforcement is evident in the alarming levels of plastic waste in Guwahati. As of February 2024, the city generated approximately 120 tons of plastic waste daily, accounting for nearly 20 per cent of its total solid waste. This is a significant increase from 2018 when Guwahati generated around 37 tons of plastic waste per day, according to a study by ENVIRON.
Despite the ban on single-use plastics, their use has almost reached pre-ban levels. Many city residents have not adopted the habit of carrying reusable, eco-friendly bags for shopping, continuing to rely on the easily available plastic alternatives. “The use of single-use polythene has reached almost the same level as before the ban,” a local environmentalist observed. “People haven’t changed their habits, and the lack of consistent enforcement means there’s no real pressure to do so.”
Talking to GPlus, Ranjan Das, a resident of Guwahati said, "Every time I go to the market, I see shopkeepers still using plastic bags and cups. It’s like the ban doesn't exist at all. I don't understand why the authorities aren’t doing regular checks to stop this. We hear about the ban, but in reality, nothing has changed. The drains are still clogged with plastic, and our environment is still suffering." Mukul Barman, a resident of Rukminigaon talking to GPlus said, "I see plastic cups and straws being used in tea stalls and restaurants everywhere," he complained. "If the government is serious about banning these products, they need to be stricter with shopkeepers and business owners. Right now, it feels like the rules only exist on paper, and there's no real effort to make a change."
However, talking to GPlus, Mrigen Sarania, the Mayor of Guwahati said, "Only biodegradable plastic products are allowed to be used in Guwahati. Whenever we conduct raids, officials from the Pollution Control Board accompany us to ensure compliance with the rules." However, residents argue that these raids are not conducted frequently enough to deter shop owners from selling banned plastic products.
In addition to the inconsistent enforcement of the plastic ban, the GMC's approach to regulating street vendors has also been criticised. Street vendors across Guwahati have expressed frustration over sudden and unannounced evictions, which they claim are carried out without any warning or explanation. This has left many vendors in a state of uncertainty about when they might be forced to move.
A street vendor in Beltola, who wished to remain anonymous, shared his plight with GPlus, saying, "We are evicted without any prior notice. It is harassment. Are we not humans deserving of some respect and consideration?"
Another vendor on VIP Road talking to GPlus said, "They came and destroyed our shops without any warning. This is extremely sad for us. This is our only source of income, and just because we are poor, they treat us like this."
Mayor Sarania highlighted the availability of government schemes to support street vendors. "There’s the PM Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi), which is a special micro-credit facility launched by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs to provide affordable loans to street vendors. They can easily apply for this scheme," he explained.
The Mayor also defended the GMC's actions, stating, "We only evict street vendors when we receive complaints about them blocking public pathways or creating other nuisances."
Despite these assurances, many vendors remain sceptical about the intentions behind the evictions. They argue that the inconsistency in enforcement—sometimes strict, sometimes lenient—only adds to their hardships and uncertainty about their livelihoods. They feel that their voices are not being heard and that their right to earn a living is not being respected.
The inconsistency in the enforcement of rules by the GMC raises broader questions about the governance and administrative efficiency in Guwahati. While the intentions behind these rules are clear—to reduce plastic waste and maintain public order—the sporadic enforcement undermines their effectiveness. Residents and business owners alike are calling for a more transparent and consistent approach that treats all stakeholders fairly and upholds the city’s regulations in a way that benefits everyone.
