In a significant crackdown on public nuisance, the Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC) has branded 500 individuals as 'Nagar Shatru' (City Enemies) and imposed fines on them for spitting and littering in public spaces. The action, which was carried out as of Friday, marks a stringent step by the civic body to enforce cleanliness norms across the state capital.
City-Wide Enforcement Drive
The administration, acting on directives from Municipal Commissioner Yashpal Meena, collected fines from violators spread across all six municipal zones of the city. This coordinated effort is part of a broader initiative to tackle the persistent issue of public littering and unsanitary practices that tarnish the city's image.
Technology-Driven Surveillance
To identify offenders, the civic body is leveraging a robust network of 3,300 CCTV cameras installed at 415 key locations throughout Patna. These cameras are integrated with the city's Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC), providing real-time monitoring capabilities.
Dedicated enforcement teams meticulously review the footage from this surveillance grid to track down individuals who violate cleanliness rules. Once identified, teams are dispatched on-site to impose penalties immediately, ensuring a direct and swift consequence for the act.
Strict Consequences for Repeat Offenders
Officials have issued a stern warning that habitual offenders will face more severe public shaming. The names and photographs of those caught repeatedly spitting or littering will be displayed on Variable Message Displays (VMDs) installed at various prominent locations across Patna. This measure aims to deter citizens from engaging in such activities through social accountability.
The overarching goal of this campaign is twofold: to eliminate identified 'red spots' or chronic dirty areas in the city and to significantly improve Patna's ranking in national cleanliness surveys like Swachh Survekshan. By combining financial penalties with technological monitoring and the threat of public exposure, the PMC hopes to cultivate a lasting sense of civic responsibility among residents.
