Bangalore’s litter cops to check grime crime

Bangalore’s litter cops to check grime crime
R Jayaprakash | TNN

Bangalore: Just don’t do it. Flying squads will shoot on cameras you littering, urinating, dumping garbage and spitting. They’ll catch offenders in the act and impose fines ranging from Rs 100 to Rs 5,000.
BBMP’s ‘litter cops’ will roam around and ensure the city is clean 24/7. A relatively new concept in the country, BBMP’s initiative to check grime crime is on the lines of such measures in London, New York and Bangkok.
The BBMP felt the pinch of clearing litter after the India-Australia One Day International at Chinnaswamy Stadium — it incurred Rs 2 lakh additional expense for clearing the mess.
BBMP commissioner S Subramanya told TOI on Wednesday that an amendment to the existing solid waste management rules will be brought in to enable the new provision. “We have sought legal competency for imposing fines. We’ll soon issue a notification. Though there is solid waste management cess, the proposed rule will regulate disposal of waste, check littering and create a healthy Bangalore,’’ he said.
BBMP is in talks with the Territorial Army to use its services as litter cops. Teams will shoot images of offenders and slap spot fines. If the fine is not paid within a stipulated time, a notice carrying the image of the violation will be served.
“We’ve studied Mumbai and Western countries, and found this curbs the menace. We’re working on other categories and services like road cutting without permission, damaging footpaths and other BBMP properties. Bangalore produces around 2,200 metric tonnes of waste daily. Also, there’s dumping of construction debris in drains. There is tremendous pressure to handle this waste. Punitive measures are needed to control violations,’’ he said.
Grime & punishment
Spitting and urinating in public; dumping debris and waste in storm water drains and drainage; dumping waste by hotels, community halls, organisers of functions violating norms; dumping waste in stray sites or vacant places; dumping waste in prohibited areas; littering in residential localities by not adhering to door-to-door collection.
Fines range from Rs 100 to Rs 5,000
BBMP will soon fix slabs of fines that will vary on quantity of waste dumped.