Punishment is not limited to the fines but is extended to around 8 days of jail

The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) has upped the ante and is cracking the whip on people throwing garbage on the streets. The civic body along with the Hyderabad Police have rolled out a strict enforcement plan and measures in September which is now being escalated for the critical sanitation solutions.  

The West Zone Deputy Commissioner of Police, Vijay Kumar says that the surveillance will be increased specifically targeting littering and the garbage dumping. The fines which were implemented to range from Rs. 500 to Rs. 1000 could be expandable. However, the punishment is not limited to the fines but is extended to around 8 days of jail time under the Section 70 B, which could also increase depending upon the case and repeated offenses.

Raghu Prasad, Additional Commissioner of Sanitation, GHMC says that the littering challans are now starting from Rs 1000 which are likely to be increased. E- Challans for littering are already being issued which would also be hiked further.

On social media, many welcomed the initiative as a bold step by both GHMC and police while others questioned the consistency of such efforts.  

Kushal, a private employee staying at Borabanda highlighted a frequent garbage problem on the streets. He added “Whenever there is a vegetable market, vendors leave behind a huge pile. This is a big issue. Few other commentators said that GHMC workers are not coming regularly to clean.”