In a decisive crackdown aimed at enhancing urban hygiene and civic sense, the Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC) has announced stringent penalties for individuals who spit in public after consuming paan, gutka, or other tobacco products. The move is part of a broader initiative to maintain the city's cleanliness, beauty, and public health standards.
Strict Penalties and Public Shaming
The new regulations are uncompromising. Anyone caught spitting in open areas will be slapped with an on-the-spot fine of Rs 500. However, the punishment doesn't end with the monetary penalty. In a novel approach to deterrence, the authorities will also publicly shame the offenders. Their photographs will be displayed on Variable Message Display (VMD) screens installed at various locations across the city, branding them as "Nagar Shatru" or "enemy of the city".
Driving Force and Rationale Behind the Campaign
The campaign was initiated on the directions of Yashpal Meena, the municipal commissioner-cum-managing director of Patna Smart City Limited. Speaking on Monday, Commissioner Meena emphasised that the rampant habit of public spitting severely undermines the city's cleanliness, aesthetics, and, most importantly, public health. He pointed out that unchecked spitting on roads, flyovers, intersections, and other public spaces creates unsightly and unhygienic 'red spots', necessitating these tough corrective measures.
Tech-Driven Enforcement via Command Centre
Enforcement will be heavily reliant on technology. Patna's Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) will play a pivotal role in identifying violators. The city's extensive network of approximately 3,300 cameras across 415 locations, all connected to the ICCC near Gandhi Maidan, will enable round-the-clock monitoring. The commissioner has instructed the ICCC team to specifically target those who spit or litter and ensure their images are displayed on the VMD screens.
The crackdown extends beyond just spitting. Strict action will also be taken against those urinating in public, with PMC enforcement teams authorised to levy on-the-spot fines. The drive has already seen action, with fines collected from nearly 250 people caught spitting inside the underground subway connecting the Multi-Modal Hub to Patna Junction in a recent enforcement drive.
This multi-pronged strategy of hefty fines, technological surveillance, and public shaming marks a significant step by the Patna administration to cultivate better civic behaviour and transform the city's public spaces.
