'Harsh" punishment for spitting on the streets. | Photo Credit: BCCL

Pune: Pune Municipal officers have introduced a unique and ‘harsh’ punishment for those who spit in public places like roads, walls of buildings and parks. Municipal officials in the Bibwewadi area of Pune have started taking action against citizens spiting on the road.

Bibwewadi launched the campaign in the area under the leadership of ward officer Avinash Sakpal. Pune Municipal authorities have already punished 25 people who had spit on the streets. The campaign has been implemented on Satara Road, Gangadham Chowk, Market Yard, Swami Vivekanad Chowk and Gaothan.

The squad's cleaning inspectors keep a close watch on the pedestrians on the road. If anyone is found spitting on the road, the person is fined Rs 100. Moreover, as a stern reminder, the guilty are also made to spit on their clothes and then clean it with water. The aim of this campaign is to raise awareness of cleanliness and to teach people self-disciple. This campaign will continue in the entire ward, Sakpal said.

“People are spraying gutkha and tobacco on the road without any fear. Our campaign’s main objective is to teach them a stern lesson and in maintaining the cleanliness in the city,” Sakpal said.

Under this campaign, 25 people have been told to clean the dirt they had spread on the roads of Pune. “We know that this is very harsh punishment but in future, they will think before they spray gutkha and tobacco on public places. We noticed that penalty in the form of money only was not working. Instead, giving self-reliance lessons in such a manner will be remembered throughout their life. The success of this campaign is in its unique approach,” Sakpal said.