Authorities in Imphal have seized more than 4.4 tonnes of banned single-use plastic carry bags during a coordinated crackdown that began in April this year. A total of 4,464.64 kilograms of plastic items have been confiscated from markets across the city since April 19, 2025.The crackdown was carried out by a joint enforcement team consisting of officials from the Imphal Municipal Corporation, the Manipur Pollution Control Board, the Department of Environment and Climate Change, and the Manipur Police. The operation is part of the state’s wider campaign to enforce the Plastic Waste Management Rules and promote environmental sustainability.
The seized plastic waste is being transported to Kakarania Innovative Systems Pvt. Ltd., a Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)-authorized plastic recycling facility based in Byrnihat, Ri-Bhoi district, Meghalaya. To ensure that the banned plastic items are not reused or resold illegally, the carry bags were pierced with iron rods before being dispatched. The transportation of the materials is taking place under strict monitoring along the NH-2 route, which connects Imphal with Byrnihat. M/S Ashok Traders, located in Tentha Marongband, Thoubal district, has been entrusted with the responsibility of ensuring that the seized plastic is safely delivered to the recycling facility. The facility is registered under Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and is approved by the CPCB.
The Manipur government has once again appealed to the public to stop using single-use plastic items and shift towards eco-friendly alternatives like biodegradable or reusable carry bags.
