If you are one of those who toss banana peels and wrappers out of bus windows, beware, the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan is soon coming to the BEST bus stop closest to you.
The Swach Abhiyan or Clean India campaign was launched across the country by prime minister Narendra Modi. The BMC and the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) have joined hands to install dustbins at bus stops to prevent commuters from littering while waiting for a bus.
The civic body has been trying to keep bus stops clean for a long time but has been unable to do so, said authorities. A senior officer said, "We are in the process of providing dustbins to all bus stops in a phased manner and have already placed 2,500 of them until now. It will take us some time because we will have to cover all bus stops in the city."
"When passengers alight from buses they tend to throw the tickets on the streets. We had received word from the BMC officials about the dustbins. We think its a great idea and gave the approval immediately," said a senior BEST official.
Nikesh Indermal Rawal, a social worker from Kurla, said, "It is a very good initiative by BEST and BMC in the larger public interest to keep surroundings clean. But dustbins always tend to disappear from bus stops. Earlier to the BMC has installed dustbins in various areas but all vanished. Drug peddlers and hutment dwellers flick them and sell them to scrap dealers for Rs 20 to 30."
Hanumant Gophane, PRO, BEST, said, "The installation of dustbins on bus stops has already commenced. This is BMC's project and they are doing it".
When asked about permissions to install these dustbins, Gophane said, "We have nothing to do with it. It is BMC's project so permission from BEST is not required."
However, without the approval of BEST's GM, no work can begin on its property.
O P Gupta, GM, BEST, did not answer numerous calls made by this correspondent.
A senior BEST official on the condition of anonymity said, "The proposal had originally come from the BMC about a fortnight ago and has been given a blanket approval."
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