Surat Hotfix Row: Mayor Asks Officials Not to Seal Units, Make Arrangements for Disposal

AI-image The Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) has witnessed a lack of coordination between the elected leadership and the municipal administration over the disposal of hotfix waste and action against its production. Surat Mayor Mayaben Mawani has instructed officials not to carry out sealing action against hotfix units and asked the administration to make arrangements for the disposal of the waste.

At the same time, the municipal administration has issued a public notice across all zones ordering an immediate ban on the production, storage, sale, distribution and use of prohibited single-use plastic, including hotfix.

The SMC notice has also warned that legal action will be taken if production or other activities continue despite the order. The contrasting instructions have raised questions over coordination between the civic body’s elected representatives and its administrative machinery, as both have issued directions on the same issue.

The controversy over hotfix waste has been ongoing in Surat for the past few days. While residents have demanded action against those dumping the waste, concerns have also been raised over the livelihoods of people associated with the hotfix trade. The issue came into sharper focus after a group of hotfix operators met the Mayor on Wednesday.