8 anti-litter night squads to penalise garbage dumpers and enforce masking and social distancing

By Qamar ZJ

The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has launched eight night patrol vehicles, each equipped with five marshals to patrol the nights across Bengaluru. Their job is to impose spot fines on people found dumping garbage in public spaces, and storm water drains. Besides, they will also make sure people are wearing masks and maintaining a social distance in open spaces. Importantly, they are also empowered to seize the unauthorised carrying and disposal of garbage, particularly biomedical waste and meat and poultry debris.

“Each vehicle is fitted with mikes and will also carry tools for emergency response,” says N Manjunatha Prasad, BBMP Commissioner. All unauthorised waste-disposal vehicles will be targetted across the city during the night as much of their activities are done in the cover of darkness.

‘One vehicle for each assembly constituency, please!’

Residents point out that eight vehicles are far too less for a city. While this is only a start, and more vehicles will be inducted soon, it is usually seen that every government initiative is always under-staffed. Take the police, for example. Therefore, some residents feel that this number is highly inadequate. “Just eight cars for a city that is so huge and densely populated?” wonders Ajay Bhat. “Why is the budget for such a good initiative so less? It’s like a needle in a hay stack.”

“Once the efficacy of this squad is realised, the BBMP should have one such vehicle for each of the 28 assembly constituencies in Bengaluru,” believes civic activist Dr Shanthi Tummala, a member of the Solid Waste Management Round Table (SWMRT). She adds that the BBMP’s Prahari vehicles that are more focussed on addressing flooding during the monsoons, can supplement the services of these marshals. “If Praharis are used properly, this number can be enough,” says Tummala.

 

‘Face shields for the marshals, please!’

Other residents pointed out that the marshals should visit certain areas more often due to the enormity and regularity of the violations. Dr. Kantaraj Tavane says special attention should be paid to the 80 feet road in BCCHS Layout, Off Kanakapura Road in Vajarahalli. Others wanted one dedicated vehicle for the safe conduct of Aero India in February 2021. Other residents pointed out indescriminate debris dumping on Hosa Road. Harisha hoped that the marshals conduct their duty without fear, favour or money. One resident wanted the BBMP to create a Twitter account and a helpline number for the team, so the public can help them trace the trespassers and create a better environment for Bangalore. Sunil asked the BBMP to provide face shields in addition to the marks as the marshals would come in close contact with people without masks.

Fined for not wearing a mask in car

Since June 2020, the BBMP is fining people for not wearing masks and violating social distancing norms across Bangalore. Yesterday (Oct 1), 2918 people were fined, out of which 2480 were for not masking up, while the rest were for not maintaining six feet distance from each other. However, if you were travelling alone in a car, you are allowed to proceed without a mask. However, if you have company, you should wear a mask and drive. The fines are being levied by the civic agency for violating sections 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant), 269 (negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) and 270 (malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) of the Indian Penal Code.