Pay hefty fine or clean streets, Chandigarh MC gives litterbugs tough choice

In a bid to blend enforcement with civic responsibility, the Municipal Corporation Chandigarh has rolled out a first‑of‑its‑kind initiative allowing violators of the Solid Waste Management (SWM) Bylaws, 2018, to either pay hefty fines for littering or step forward and clean the city themselves.

Turning penalties into participation, the MC says the initiative aims at making offenders experience the effort that goes into keeping the city clean.

Under the new system, offenders who approach the Municipal Corporation citing genuine financial or personal constraints may apply for relaxation or compounding of their challans by undertaking community sanitation work.

Applicants are required to submit a written undertaking committing to perform the assigned sanitation duties sincerely under the supervision of the Medical Officer of Health (MOH) wing. The nature and duration of the work, which may include waste lifting, sweeping or general cleaning activities, are assigned by area health supervisors or sanitary inspectors depending on requirements in different parts of the city.

The initiative has already seen its first successful case. A violator from Sector 25, who had been issued a challan of Rs 13,401 in December last year, carried out sanitation work within his locality. Similarly, one resident of Sector 25 and another from Sector 8, each facing fines of Rs 14,071, opted to undertake community service.

The Sector 25 resident performed duties at the slaughter house in Phase‑1, Industrial Area, while the Sector 8 violator carried out cleaning activities in his own locality. All assigned work was supervised by the respective health supervisor and the activities were documented through photographs and detailed compliance reports. These cases have now been forwarded to the competent authority for final approval regarding compounding of their challans.

Speaking about the initiative, MC Commissioner Amit Kumar emphasised that the provision was not intended to provide an easy escape from penalties. Field staff must submit verified completion reports to the MOH office, and only after the authorities were satisfied with the sincerity and quality of the service was any relaxation or compounding considered.

He said the move was aimed at promoting responsible civic behaviour while ensuring strict enforcement of waste management laws. He added that the Municipal Corporation remained committed to the strict implementation of the Municipal Solid Waste Management Rules and the SWM Bylaws, 2018, and warned that littering, illegal dumping of waste and related violations would continue to attract stringent action. “The objective is not merely to impose fines but to sensitise citizens about the importance of maintaining cleanliness. When violators themselves participate in sanitation activities, they understand the effort involved in keeping the city clean and become more responsible citizens,” he said.