Soon, cameras to keep eye on litterbugs in key Shimla areas

The Shimla Municipal Corporation is set to instal surveillance cameras at various places in the town to curb the practice of throwing waste in the open.

Additionally, the corporation will also impose Rs 5,000 fine on littering.

The corporation is in the process of identifying hotspots that are most vulnerable to littering. It has already installed more than 60 signboards at various locations that have been declared as no-garbage zones. The metallic display boards also have contact numbers of officials of the Municipal Corporation who can be approached in case someone is found littering in the non-garbage zones.

Municipal Corporation Mayor Surender Chauhan said the surveillance cameras would help the corporation identify the offenders who will be fined later.

“This will help maintain cleanliness across the town. It has been noticed that many people throw garbage in the open, which not only degrades the environment but also spoils the scenic beauty of the town,” he said.

The mayor appealed to the people to maintain cleanliness and to avoid throwing garbage in the open.

Recently, the civic body started a cleanliness drive under the ‘Swachhata Hi Sewa’ campaign that will continue till October 2. Under the drive, MC officials, along with various non-government organisations, school and college students, are conducting cleanliness campaigns in all wards of the town.

In July also, the civic body had conducted a month-long cleanliness drive, during which various nullahs, residential areas and forests in the town were cleaned.