Following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Independence Day call for the launch of a 'Clean India' mission, local authorities in the capital began a sanitation drive that will include fining people for urinating in public or littering the streets, much like in other countries.
"Our sanitation workers clean the areas early morning, which are again dirtied by shopkeepers around 9.30 a.m. Such shopkeepers will be given a warning by our workers and subsequently fined up to Rs.1,000," North Delhi Corporation Mayor, Yogender Chandolia, told IANS.
Modi, in his Independence Day address, had stressed the importance of cleanliness in daily living and stated he wanted every village and city to launch a cleanliness campaign.
Chandolia said those seen urinating outside public urinals - a common sight in the city - will be fined.
"Our sanitation inspectors will be on the field and keep a vigil on those indulging in such acts. Such offenders will first be slapped a fine of Rs.200 which can go up til Rs.1,000," Chandolia warned.
"It is a great step. Few irresponsible citizens have turned the entire city into one giant urinal, making it almost impossible to walk on footpaths. Just hope it is implemented properly," Vishi Luthra, a marketing professional, told IANS.
On being asked, officials of the east and south corporations said that they will also be launching similar drives soon.