Mumbai: From now on, pet owners will have to shell out Rs 500 if their pets soil public roads under the jurisdiction of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). The corporation has kick-started the campaign from Grant Road and adjacent areas (D Ward).
A squad of 32 civic workers, deployed across D Ward will keep close watch and collect penalties that have been fixed for pet pooping. “In public places, roads or footpaths, many owners or related caretakers come to walk their pets. These animals often soil on the streets, pavements or public places, creating an unhealthy surrounding and it is a matter of public health in public places,” said Vishwas Mote, assistant commissioner of the ward.
The ward houses a fair number of pets in the area and it is important that pet owners maintain discipline, feel civic officials. During the campaign, the civic body has already fined 16 people in three days from the ward. “We have collected Rs 500 as fines from 16 people. This will now continue in the area and we will start implementing the same in other wards as well,” said a senior BMC official.
‘D’ ward includes important sites and premises of August Kranti Maidan, Girgaon Chowpatty, Mahalaxmi, Mumbai Central, Grant Road, Charni Road, Tardeo, Gopalrao Dhumukh Marg (Peddar Road), Laxmibai Jagmohan Das Marg (Napian Sea Road), etc. There are a large number of pet animals in this area.