Surat Cracks Down on Gutkha Spitters with Rs 9L Fine

Surat : For the first time in Gujarat, the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) has taken tough actions against the ‘spitters’ in the diamond city of Surat for painting the bridges, roads, traffic islands and other public places by spitting gutkha and mava during the festive season. About 5,200 spitters in Surat were identified with the help of more than 4,500 high-definition CCTV cameras and a fine to the tune of Rs 9 lakh was collected. 

Officials at the Integrated Control and Command Center (ICCC) of the SMC worked 24×7 to keep a strict vigil on the offenders spitting gutkha and mava on the public properties. The mixture of betel nut and lime along with tobacco in Mava and the presence of tobacco, catechu, paraffin wax in the gutkha pouches turns saliva bright red and when it is spitted on the public places or elsewhere it is difficult to remove the stains. 

Official sources said that the SMC spent more than Rs 4 crore to paint the public properties including bridges, dividers, traffic islands, pay and use toilets etc across the city ahead of the Diwali festival. However, during the ongoing Diwali vacation, many commuters and pedestrians indulged in spitting bright red saliva on the public properties. 

SMC claims that action has been taken against such a large number of spitters for the first time in the state. However, the officials say that despite  taking stern action against the spitters, there is no improvement seen. The health department of SMC has proposed to increase the enforcement and double the amount of fines in the coming days. 

“A special team was deployed at the ICCC. The team members tracked down the spitters based on the vehicle numbers. The team members went to the residences of the offenders and collected fine” said a senior ICCC officer. 

The health official said that a special team was deployed at the Control and Command Center to take action against spitters starting from April 1, 2024. The team consists of a Sanitary Inspector, who is tasked to nab people involved in painting the government properties with gutkha and mava through CCTV camera network. Such people are also being  fined at their residence after getting the address from the RTO based on their vehicle number. 

It must be noted that Surat is ranked the cleanest city in India as per the Swachh Survekshan. The SMC is running a campaign of ‘Swachh Sundar Surat’ under which strict action is taken against the denizens spoiling the image of the cleanest city of India.