TOI : BMC imposes sweeping fine : Oct 31,2007
BMC imposes sweeping fine
From Nov 14, the civic body will ask vehicle-owners to pay Rs 500 if parking on roads troubles its sweepers
PANDURANG MHASKE
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is making sure that its sweepers face no problems while keeping the city clean. From November 14, BMC will ask owners of vehicles parked on city roads to pay Rs 500 fine if they inconvenience the solid waste management department in sweeping the streets, highly-placed BMC sources said.
The civic administration’s cleanliness drive, which began in August this year, has faced difficulty in the form of private vehicles parked in front of buildings.
Though the fine was introduced some days back, it was not implemented strictly. From November 14, the cleanliness drive will be implemented with the assistance of private security agencies.
Sources from the solid waste management department said parked vehicles make it difficult for the conservancy staff to sweep the roads manually or with the latest machines.
OLD BUILDINGS A BIG PROBLEM
“The problem mostly occurs in south Mumbai and areas where old buildings are situated. These buildings do not have parking lots, forcing residents to park their vehicles on the roads. Fearing traffic snarls, many people do not move their cars for weeks, worsening the situation for sweepers,” a source said.
R A Rajeev, additional municipal commissioner, said, “Vehicles parked on roads create problems for our sweepers. We have already asked housing societies to co-operate with the civic staff. It is also the societies’ responsibility to ensure cars are shifted from the roads from time to time. For this, society representatives need to convince their members.”
Ashwin Shah, a member of Bhatia Building Tenants Association in Dadar, has welcomed the BMC’s move. “But the fine of Rs 500 is too steep. It will harass car-owners unnecessarily,” Shah said.
Harshad Patil, a resident of Thakur Complex in Kandivli (east), also supported the move, saying it would help keep roads clean.
FINE MOVE: The civic body will fine vehicle owners who park in front of buildings and hinder the work of sweepers
Publication:Mumbai Mirror ; Date:Oct 31, 2007; Section:City; Page Number:6
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