In a major statewide crackdown, the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) has confiscated a massive 16 tonnes of banned single-use plastics from thousands of commercial establishments. The special enforcement drive, conducted in collaboration with local civic bodies, targeted a wide range of venues and resulted in significant penalties.
Widespread Raids and Heavy Fines
The enforcement operation, which kicked off towards the end of December 2025, saw teams inspecting a vast network of outlets across Tamil Nadu. A total of 9,248 shops were found violating the ban, leading to fines amounting to ₹12.5 lakh. The raids were not limited to retail shops but extended across the supply and consumption chain.
Comprehensive Inspection Across Public Spaces
TNPCB enforcement teams and flying squads left no stone unturned. Their inspections covered a diverse set of locations to ensure the ban's effectiveness. The targeted sites included:
- Street vendor outlets and local shops
- Wholesale and retail markets
- Commercial establishments and hotels
- Festival markets and crowded public locations
- Major transit hubs like bus stands, railway stations, and airports
"Interstate borders are being checked," stated the TNPCB, highlighting the effort to prevent the inflow of banned items from neighbouring states.
Crackdown on Manufacturers and Continued Vigilance
The board's action also focused on the source of the problem—illegal manufacturing units. Since the ban's implementation in 2019, over 290 illegal plastic-manufacturing units have faced power supply disconnection. Notably, in the last six months alone, 13 such units were permanently closed for failing to stop the manufacture, storage, supply, and sale of banned plastic items.
TNPCB Chairperson Jayanthi emphasized that this stringent enforcement would continue across the state. The drive signifies the government's sustained commitment to eliminating environmentally hazardous single-use plastics from daily use and protecting Tamil Nadu's ecosystem.
