Patna: Patna’s streets are getting cleaner, but at a cost for those who break the rules. The Patna Municipal Corporation has started a strict cleanliness campaign to stop people from spitting and littering in public places. In just four days, officials have caught around 500 people and collected fines worth Rs 2.5 lakh. Each offender was fined Rs 500, sending a strong message that public spaces can no longer be treated carelessly.
The campaign is being run across all parts of the city and focuses mainly on busy roads, traffic intersections, markets and crowded public areas. People chewing paan, gutkha or other tobacco products and spitting on the roads are being identified and stopped immediately. Enforcement teams are collecting fines on the spot and warning offenders not to repeat the behaviour. Those caught are also being labelled as ‘City Enemies’, a term used by the corporation to highlight the seriousness of harming public cleanliness.
According to the municipal authorities, this drive is not only about punishment but also about changing people’s habits. Municipal commissioner and managing director of Patna Smart City Limited, Yashpal Meena, said the action was necessary to make people understand their responsibility towards keeping the city clean. He said such strict steps would help improve Patna’s image and encourage citizens to respect public spaces.
Technology is playing a key role in the operation. Around 3,300 CCTV cameras installed at 415 locations across the city are being monitored through the Integrated Command and Control Centre. When someone is seen spitting or littering, their images are sent to the concerned municipal zone. Teams then reach the spot and take action. Officials have warned that repeat offenders may have their names and photographs displayed on public digital screens across the city.
The municipal corporation believes this strict enforcement will help stop the creation of dirty zones and improve Patna’s ranking in the Swachh Survekshan cleanliness survey. For residents, the message is simple and clear: keeping the city clean is everyone’s duty, and ignoring the rules can now lead to immediate penalties.
