Bhubaneswar: The development authority has decided to ban the use of plastic in its parks, office and markets from September 1 after chief minister Naveen Patnaik on July 10 announced the ban on single use plastic in the city from October 2.

On the other hand, though the deadline is nearing close, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation is yet to make any significant progress to implement it. According to the plan, the civic authorities should take the lead for implementing the plan.

"The authority has lesser numbers of markets as compared to the civic body. The ban has to be implemented from the ground level such as from the street vendors and smaller parks. Here the plan is working in reverse," said social worker Alok Kar.

At present, the authority is in hold of about 15 both big and small market complexes. But, the civic authorities has got 46 vending zones with around 21,000 vendors besides local markets and two major commercial complexes in the city.

"The plastic use is more among the small-scale vendors. The chief minister has made a commitment to ban the plastic use from October 2. If the initiative is yet to take off, it will, in all possibilities, miss the deadline," said Kharavela Nagar resident Dibakar Jena.

The development authority is in charge of 65 bigger and smaller parks, while civic authorities are in hold of 28 colony parks. "In view of the footfall, vending is rampant outside the parks, mainly during the evening hours," said Aswin Hota, a visitor to IG Park.

"The civic authorities should take the lead to ban the use of plastic since they are the major stakeholder in implementing the decision. They should learn something from the development body and take similar steps. There has to be no delay in executing the plans," said Hota.

Mayor Ananta Narayan Jena said they would come up with plans shortly. "Our officials are working out on the steps to be taken up for imposing the ban. Our plans will be more rigorous and are likely to deliver results from August 29," said Jena.