CHENNAI: In light of the Covid-19 pandemic, Greater Chennai Corporation is considering imposing fines on those caught spitting in public, corporation commissioner G Prakash confirmed to TOI recently in response to a query.
Since the virus spreads through droplets, spitting in public will help in the spread of the disease. Many municipal corporations in the city have planned to levy such fines. Now, Greater Chennai Corporation is considering use of its extensive CCTV camera coverage to crack down on this menace, say sources.
Public health expert and former chief vector control officer of Greater Chennai Corporation B Dhanraj hailed the move. “The corporation should bring in a legislation for this,” he told TOI. City residents who visit other countries such as Malaysia or Singapore follow these rules properly, but when they return they fall back to their old habits, Dhanraj said.
Social activist and convenor of NGO Arappor Iyakkam Jayaram Venkatesan said, if implemented, the corporation’s plan would be an excellent one. “It would provide great awareness to people about how spitting in public spreads infectious diseases. However,the civic body should ensure that it reaches out to people before it begins levying fines,” he said.
C R Balaji of Mandaveli said the civic body could tie up with the city police to monitor spitting, especially at bus stands, via the CCTV camera network.
Experts, however, added that the corporation should use this opportunity to cut down on open defecation and urination as well.
Dhanraj said more toilets with clear signboards should be constructed particularly for people on-the-go. “Often people urinate on the road because they are unable to find a toilet,” he said. Balaji said maintenance of toilets is another major issue that the corporation has to address.
Since the virus spreads through droplets, spitting in public will help in the spread of the disease. Many municipal corporations in the city have planned to levy such fines. Now, Greater Chennai Corporation is considering use of its extensive CCTV camera coverage to crack down on this menace, say sources.
Public health expert and former chief vector control officer of Greater Chennai Corporation B Dhanraj hailed the move. “The corporation should bring in a legislation for this,” he told TOI. City residents who visit other countries such as Malaysia or Singapore follow these rules properly, but when they return they fall back to their old habits, Dhanraj said.
Social activist and convenor of NGO Arappor Iyakkam Jayaram Venkatesan said, if implemented, the corporation’s plan would be an excellent one. “It would provide great awareness to people about how spitting in public spreads infectious diseases. However,the civic body should ensure that it reaches out to people before it begins levying fines,” he said.
C R Balaji of Mandaveli said the civic body could tie up with the city police to monitor spitting, especially at bus stands, via the CCTV camera network.
Experts, however, added that the corporation should use this opportunity to cut down on open defecation and urination as well.
Dhanraj said more toilets with clear signboards should be constructed particularly for people on-the-go. “Often people urinate on the road because they are unable to find a toilet,” he said. Balaji said maintenance of toilets is another major issue that the corporation has to address.
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