"We intend to target shopkeepers first by imposing a fine of Rs 2,000 and also confiscating the bags," Rokde told PTI, adding after a week we would target the public with a penalty of Rs 500.

Ward officers, alongwith various non-governmental organisations (NGOs), including Dignity Foundation, have held meetings with local trade and merchants' associations to educate them about the environmental hazards posed by plastic bags and have asked them to stop their use, Rokde said.The less than 20 micron bags cannot be recycled and when they are thrown away they do not decompose naturally and clog drains and sewers, the BMC official said.

Various propaganda campaigns, including BMC hoardings and BEST bus stops, have displayed plastic bag ban, Rokde said, adding video cassettes have also been prepared to educate the public on the ill-effects of using plastic bags.Besides the use of All-India Radio, Doordarshan, cable TV, street plays are also being organised by BMC's health and education department to create public awareness, he said. BMC has contacted various companies to distribute free paper and cloth bags, Rokde said.