HUBBALLI: With the threat of third wave of Covid-19 looming large, North-West Karnataka Road Transport Corporation’s Hubballi division has prohibited spitting in its bus terminals.
Any violation of this ban can attract a penalty of Rs 100 to 200. For the first time, NWKRTC authorities have come out with a strict policy to curb spitting to contain the spread of the virus.
Vivekanand A Vishwadnya, divisional controller, NKKRTC Hubballi-Dharwad city transport division told TOI, “We have intensified measures to ensure that people visiting our bus terminals maintain cleanliness and stop spitting and littering the premises.”
“We have formed a vigilance squad and other teams which consist of security officers, guards and inspectors. The teams will visit all our bus terminals in the twin cities and will penalise people on the spot if they violate the spitting ban,” he said.
“The third wave of the pandemic is possible, and we don’t want to put the lives of people who use our transport system at risk. We observed that many people spit gutkha, tobacco, pan-masala, and saliva indiscriminately in bus terminals. This habit is not only spoiling the newly built and painted terminals but also creating fear of the virus spreading,” he said.
Fine imposed on 70 people found violating ban
“Despite putting warning boards in the terminals, many people continued to spit indiscriminately. We then decided to implement the rule strictly by imposing fines. We have arranged spitting bins at strategic points where people can spit. Depot managers have been given the responsibility of ensuring cleanliness in their respective bus terminals and to restrict people from spitting. We are also imposing fines on those who smoke in the terminals,” he said.
“In the last one week, we have slapped a fine on 70 people found violating the ban and collected a fine of Rs 8,500,” said Vishwadnya.
