Spit and smoke at your peril: NWKRTC Hubballi division intensifies drive for cleaner bus stands

Pic: A NWKRTC staffer (L) collects fine from a passenger for flouting rulesHubballi: Fed up with the increasing habit of spitting betel and gutka and smoking at bus stops and terminals, the Hubballi division of North Western Karnataka Road Corporation intensified its drive with full force to curb smoking and spitting at bus stands.Many drivers, conductors and staff working in the Hubballi division shared that they found it difficult to educate the public to maintain cleanliness in bus stands and other public places in their division. People argued and even got into fights when they were asked not to spit or smoke. Many people did not use the toilets but went for open urination, which not only spoiled the atmosphere but also created irritation among others and emanated a bad smell.Despite repeated requests, people continued to behave arrogantly and irresponsibly, and they did not pay any attention to the appeals. Finally, the division resorted to slapping fines on them, H Ramangouder, divisional controller, Hubballi division, NWKRTC, told TOI.He said that the division collected a fine of Rs 1.1 lakh from passengers for spitting, smoking and open urination. A fine of Rs 200 is levied for smoking, Rs 100 for spitting betel/gutka, and Rs 100 for open urination. The division collected Rs 31,800 in Oct, Rs 31,700 in Nov and Rs 5,700 in Dec. It collected Rs 1.1 lakh in total fines in the last 3 months.The staff kept an eye on passengers and fined them if they were caught smoking, spitting and urinating in public places within the bus terminals at Gokul bus stand, Hosur bus stand, Kalghatagi, Kundagol and Navalgund bus stands.He expressed that strict enforcement of the law has brought about a change among passengers, who now avoided spitting and smoking. As a result, the division witnessed some cleanliness at Gokul bus terminal, but it will take a long time to educate people to willingly cooperate with the authorities to maintain cleanliness in and around the bus terminals, he said.He said the division launched a drive and started putting up placards and boards appealing to people not to litter the place, and to avoid smoking, spitting and urination in public places in all its bus stands. The intention was not to trouble the public but to maintain cleanliness in all its establishments. The division placed dustbins at several points at each bus stand, so people should make use of them instead of littering. The public should also join hands with the division to maintain cleanliness and to put an end to spitting, smoking and open urination in public places, including its bus terminals, he said.