The Tripura Pradesh Congress Committee has called for an immediate and comprehensive ban on plastic use across the state, warning that the escalating environmental degradation is a direct result of the government’s failure to implement sustainable waste management policies. Addressing a press conference in Agartala on the occasion of World Environment Day, senior Congress leaders sharply criticized the BJP-led government for ignoring the mounting plastic crisis.
The Congress delegation, led by former minister Gopal Chandra Roy and TPCC president Ashish Kumar Saha, highlighted the growing menace of single-use plastics in both rural and urban areas. According to them, the unchecked use of plastic materials has worsened pollution levels, clogged drains, and posed a threat to public health and biodiversity.
“We are standing at the edge of an ecological disaster. Despite repeated warnings from environmental experts, the state government continues to turn a blind eye. It has no visible roadmap to tackle plastic waste,” said Roy, emphasizing that plastic pollution is now choking Tripura’s water bodies and agricultural fields.
Congress Calls for Statewide Ban and Eco-Alternatives
The Tripura Congress has proposed a multi-point action plan, which includes a statewide ban on single-use plastic items, a robust public awareness campaign, and incentives for manufacturers and vendors to shift to biodegradable alternatives.
They also demanded that the government immediately start penalizing illegal plastic production units and enforce strict monitoring of packaging industries and retail outlets that still stock banned materials.
“Our neighboring states are actively working on reducing plastic dependency. Why is Tripura lagging behind? We demand not just laws on paper but visible enforcement. The government must act now,” said TPCC spokesperson Pujan Biswas.
Government Accused of ‘Greenwashing’
The Congress leaders accused the state government of indulging in symbolic gestures on World Environment Day without real commitment to policy change. They pointed out that despite past announcements to limit plastic use, little has changed on the ground. According to them, many urban markets in Agartala and district headquarters are still overflowing with polythene bags and disposable plastic goods.
They further criticized municipal authorities for failing to implement source segregation, recycling mechanisms, and proper waste disposal systems. “Every year, we hear big speeches. But where is the action? Clean-ups don’t work if there is no regulation or accountability,” added Roy.
Rising Environmental Concerns in Tripura
Tripura, once known for its green cover and clean rivers, has been increasingly grappling with plastic-related pollution, particularly in flood-prone areas and tea estate regions. Environmental activists say plastic waste clogs natural drainage, increases the risk of waterlogging, and releases harmful microplastics into the soil and food chain.
The state has also seen a sharp increase in plastic waste generation over the past five years, driven by growing consumerism and packaging demands. According to data from the Tripura Pollution Control Board, urban centers like Agartala generate over 30 tonnes of plastic waste daily, most of which is either burned or dumped without treatment.
Public Support Grows for Plastic-Free Tripura
The Congress’s call for a plastic ban has found resonance among several civil society groups and environmentalists. Local NGOs like Prakriti Mitra and Tripura Green Forum have backed the demand, urging the state government to declare an emergency response to tackle the plastic threat.
Meanwhile, students and youth organizations joined the conversation on social media, posting images of polluted rivers and plastic dumps while tagging local officials and demanding accountability.
The Tripura Congress has also launched an online petition seeking 10,000 signatures to pressure the government into taking action. The party plans to organize a state-level environmental convention later this month to mobilize more public participation.
Explore More:
- Tripura State Pollution Control Board
- Plastic Waste Management Rules 2016 – MoEFCC
- World Environment Day Initiatives in India
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