The Darjeeling municipality has decided to impose an instant or spot fine of Rs 5,000 on those found littering the town.
“Our objective is not to collect money through fines but to instil discipline among residents through fines. Places where we had put up no-litter boards are littered the most,” said Ritesh Portel, chairman, Darjeeling municipality.
Darjeeling has always fared poorly not just in cleanliness surveys.
Darjeeling — dubbed the Queen of the Hills — was ranked 129th and neighbouring Gangtok 10th in the country during a 2015 survey on cleanliness by the Union government.
Many believe nothing has changed since 2015.
Darjeeling generates around 35 to 40 metric tonnes of waste during non-tourist season and some 75 metric tonnes during the tourist season.
“In the past, we have had meetings with hotel associations and organisations, too, but a sense of belonging to
the place is lacking among some who give the impression that they are here only for business,” said Portel, hinting that hotels and restaurants are among the biggest polluters.
The civic body chairman also made a similar appeal to residents, found throwing garbage on roads and outside trash vats, to keep the town clean.
“We will install CCTV cameras after Diwali and start the process of taking the fines,” said Portel. “Since the last two weeks we have posted two cleanliness officers at Chowrasta (the town’s most famous square) to ensure it is clean,” he added.
Initiatives to start a door-to-door collection are on in 19 of the 32 wards.
“However, in some wards we are not finding people to take up this initiative,” said the civic chief. The Darjeeling municipality has 10 garbage vans. It has also hired four trucks but the civic body admits that it needs at least 24 garbage vans.
Smoking fine
The Darjeeling civic body has also decided to impose a fine of Rs 500 for anyone found smoking in public places and near educational institutions.