Soon: Litterbugs will be caught on cam in Shimla
SHIMLA : The Shimla municipal corporation has decided to install close circuit television cameras (CCTV) in the town to keep an eye on people who litter streets.
The MC which has 34 wards has proposed the installation of CCTV cameras in almost 12 locations in the town.
MC commissioner Pankaj Raj said, “The CCTV will help the MC in catching people throwing garbage in the open. A warning will be given to first time offenders. If they are found violating the rules again, their pictures will be displayed on local television networks and also released in media and social networking account of the corporation.”
“The corporation has noticed that dhabawallahs and other eatery shops throw garbage on the streets. Cameras will be installed in localities that have business establishments,” Pankaj Raj said.
The civic authorities have refused to disclose the locations proposed for installing the cameras. The MC officials say that the electronic vigil will also help in catching dog owners, who make their pets defecate on the streets.
“I have noticed a lot of people throwing garbage outside the dustbin near the Ayurveda hospital in Chotta Shimla,” said Joginder Kanwar, a resident of Strawberry hill locality.
In 2009, the MC had created the Shimla Environment Heritage Conservation Beautification that has engaged around 900 workers for door-to-door collection of garbage in the town. The town generates almost 60 to 70 tonnes of garbage daily. A portion of the waste is treated at a 1.75 megawatt waste energy plant in Baryal.