Kolkata: The state govt on Thursday unveiled an urban cleanliness and civic management roadmap, announcing a series of penalties and enforcement measures aimed at improving sanitation, waste management and traffic discipline across the urban areas.Presenting the urban development and municipal affairs budget in the Assembly, minister Agnimitra Paul said from Sept 1, citizens will face Rs 400 fine for open urination and littering, while spitting and illegal garbage dumping will attract penalty of Rs 200.The minister announced that the govt was targeting 100% segregation of household waste at source from Sept 1. Municipal bodies will refuse to collect mixed waste from households that fail to separate biodegradable, recyclable and plastic waste before imposing penalties for repeated violations.“If dry waste, wet waste and plastics are mixed, municipalities will first stop collecting waste and later impose penalties under the Solid Waste Management Rules,” Paul said.Roadside parking will be permitted only on one side of designated roads from Sept 1, while parking charges will be collected only through digital payment systems. The govt will also tighten enforcement of the ban on single-use plastic below 120 microns, with both sellers and consumers liable for penalties.While the quantum of fines will be notified separately, Paul said repeat offenders would face steeper penalties. Cloth bag vending machines will be installed in markets, starting from the city.Kolkata will become the first city where municipal sweeping will be increased to three shifts daily.Former minister Firhad Hakim also welcomed the minister’s proactive approach. Paul also announced the creation of nine new municipalities, Jaigaon, Kolaghat, Bagnan, Kamarpukur, Tungidighi, Shibmandir, Gajol, Chanchal and BeldaThe minister also set an ambitious target of reclaiming all landfill sites within one year through 100 per cent recycling of municipal waste.
