South Eastern Railway conducts anti-littering drives

Kolkata: The South Eastern Railway (SER) conducted special anti-littering drives on Saturday and Sunday at Santragachhi and Howrah Stations. During the two-day drive around Rs 27,000 was collected as fine.

According to the SER, on Saturday officers and ticket checking staff were deputed in and around of Santragachhi Station's platforms. The intention was to sensitise the passengers travelling not to make the platforms and other areas of the stations dirty by spitting or other means. Each passenger found littering the area was fined up to Rs 500.

According to the SER officials, the drive was conducted not only to prosecute the passengers but to spread awareness among people. Sources informed that people found spitting was charged Rs 100 and people found throwing garbage on railway tracks or at platforms were fined

Rs 500.

On Saturday, the SER collected Rs 13,000 from the persons caught littering the area. Around 100 people were prosecuted including some without ticket passengers.

On Sunday, the drive was conducted at the New Complex of Howrah Station. Around 108 persons were prosecuted for littering the station area and the SER has collected approximately Rs 14,000 as fine. The SER has announced that such drives will continue as a surprise check across the SER jurisdiction in future.

"Such type of drives will continue at different stations under SER jurisdiction. The teams will consist of Commercial Inspector with Ticket examiner and RPF staff as it was on Saturday and Sunday," said spokesperson from

the SER.