Title - Litter facts: Pune Rly div collects Rs1 L in 5 mnths

911 culprits were fined Rs500 each for dirtying stations

In the past five months, the Pune railway division has collected nearly Rs1 lakh from 911 ‘culprits’, who were found littering the railway station premises. These fines were collected during a special cleanliness drive. The railways sources said that the initiative has helped in keeping the platforms clean. Each person was made to pay up Rs 500.The special drive was conducted by the Pune railway division between April 1, 2013 and August 31, 2013.  Around 911 people were caught, who were found littering the railway premises and a total of Rs 95,650  was collected as fine.Public relation officer, Pune railway division YK Singh said, “On an average every month some 150 to 200 people are caught, who litter inside the railway premises, like throwing garbage on the platform, spitting, throwing wrappers on the platform etc.”Singh said, “In order to spread awareness among passengers, we have put up posters, made announcements and also held street plays at various railway stations, wherein we make appeal to the passengers not to throw wrappers, plastic bags, garbage and used packets on the platform. Railways can also fine people found washing clothes at water pipelines and basins.”In order to keep the railway premises clean, the Pune railway division had carried out the special drive. Railway authorities have also put up boards at various places in the stations to create awareness among the passengers to maintain cleanliness and hygiene at stations and refrain from throwing garbage on the platform.