Ahmedabad: Scanner now on spitting carwallahs

AHMEDABAD: While the sight of vehicle users spitting streams of red masala on roads may not be unfamiliar, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has seen red, the first challans being issued for spitting in public places last week.
AMC officials said 38 such challans have been issued so far and they intend to raise the number first to 10-15 a day and then to 100. “Beginning Tuesday, the special drive has been initiated where cameras installed at crossroads, as part of City Surveillance and Intelligent Traffic Management System (CSITMS), will also record those in the act of spitting. The Paldi control room of CSITMS has been entrusted with identification of offenders.
AMC officials said offenders will be identified on the basis of their vehicle registration number and challans will be sent to their homes. “Offenders will have to pay the fine at a civic centre. If the fine is not paid in the stipulated seven days, the fine amount will gradually increase. The fine of Rs 100 can be increased to Rs 500,” an AMC official said.
Harshad Solanki, director of solid waste management with the AMC, said the initiative has been taken under the Smart City project by the solid waste management department. “Our motive is to discourage citizens from spitting in public. A number of car drivers are known to spit paan masala on the roads. We discourage citizens from this habit,” he said.