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ShareMumbai:
Taking your dog out for a stroll on Marine Drive may soon have to stop. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is planning to make the promenade out of bounds for pets.
Civic officials say owners refuse to clean up after their pets 'poop' at the promenade and even fines don't deter them from bringing the animals along. So they have no other choice but the ban.
The BMC has given pet-owners a month to mend their ways or the ban will come into force. It may later extend the ban to other promenades, including Carter Road in Bandra.
The BMC has been slapping a fine of Rs500 each on those who come to Marine Drive with pets and don't clean up if the animals poop, said Ranjeet Dhakane, assistant municipal commissioner of A-ward.
"But a fine is not the ultimate solution," said RA Rajeev, additional municipal commissioner. "People argue with clean-up marshals and refuse to pay up."
Rajeev said the BMC wants to keep the promenade clean but it's not possible without the help of people. "The BMC will give a 30-day ultimatum before implementing the ban. The final decision will depend on whether local residents cooperate," he said.
Sunayana Sadarangani, member of Marine Drive residents' association, says many pet-owners carry "poop bags".
Another Marine Drive resident said the ban should be a people's initiative. "There is a ban on pets at Carter Road promenade, too, but it was an initiative of the residents. A separate zone has been created for the pets there."
