Surat: Rampant use of banned single-use plastic sheets by hotfix units and the dumping of the resulting waste in public places have emerged as a major concern for citizens and Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC).After protests by residents and political parties, the civic body has intensified enforcement, issuing 2,054 notices to hotfix units instructing them to stop using single-use plastic. SMC officials said action will continue against violators and the supply chain involved in importing the material.The issue has been particularly acute in Varachha and adjoining areas, where citizens have repeatedly complained about plastic waste being dumped on roadsides, in lanes, and near schools and gardens. The situation escalated on Sunday night when piles of discarded plastic reportedly caught fire, engulfing abandoned vehicles parked nearby. Residents expressed concern that such fires could spread to homes in densely populated neighbourhoods.Hotfix units, which are often located within residential areas, have also drawn complaints for operating in non-industrial zones. In response, SMC has requested electricity distribution companies to inspect these units and take action if industrial power infrastructure is being used in domestic connections.“The hotfix units use the banned single-use plastic and later dump it in the open, causing health, sanitation and pollution issues. After complaints, SMC started issuing notices and today we have sealed one importer of the plastic, and actions will be taken against other importers too,” an SMC officer said. The civic body confirmed that a shop belonging to an importer of the plastic sheets was sealed in Puna.The political temperature around the issue has also risen. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) recently protested by dumping plastic waste at the residence of city Mayor Maya Mavani. AAP leader and corporator Dharmesh Bhanderi alleged that Surat is turning into a dumping ground, with industrial waste—especially from the hotfix industry—spreading across Varachha and nearby areas.
