Indiais set to impose a nationwide ban on plastic bags, cups and straws on October2, on the occasion of birth anniversary of the father of the Nation.

Accordingto officials, the ban on plastics in its most sweeping measure yet to stamp outsingle-use plastics from cities and villages that rank among the world's mostpolluted.

PrimeMinister Narendra Modi, who is leading efforts to scrap such plastics by 2022,is set to launch the campaign with a ban on as many as six items on October 2.

Thesix plastic items on which ban will be imposed are plastic bags, cups, plates,small bottles, straws and certain types of sachets. According to officials, theban will be comprehensive and will cover manufacturing, usage and import ofsuch items.

Modi,in his speech on August 15 urged the people and government agencies to take thefirst big step on October 2 towards freeing India from single-use plastic.

Concernsare growing worldwide about plastic pollution, focusing particularly in theoceans where nearly 505 of single-use plastic products end up, killing marinelife and entering the human food chain, according to studies.

Moreover,the European Union plans to ban single-use plastic items such as straws, forks,knives and cotton buds by 2021.