Bhubaneswar: A special cleanliness drive was carried out by the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Tuesday at the Unit-4 market area in the presence of senior officials.
As part of the drive, thorough cleaning of the market and surrounding roads was undertaken. Roadside encroachments were removed, and abandoned vehicles were lifted to ensure smooth movement and a cleaner public space, officials said.
This apart, the civic body also imposed fines amounting to several lakhs of rupees during the sanitation drive in fish market and its
surrounding localities in Unit-4.
Sources said the penalties were imposed during the cleanliness inspection to curb unhygienic practices and illegal waste dumping. At least three restaurants and eateries were fined Rs one lakh each for violating sanitation norms in the area.
Two other outlets were slapped with a fine of Rs one lakh each for dumping garbage behind their premises. The civic body also imposed a penalty of Rs one lakh on an educational institution for poor sanitation.
Mayor Sulochana Das said action would continue against establishments that compromise public hygiene. The civic body emphasised that maintaining cleanliness is a collective responsibility and warned that violators would face stringent penalties.
Noting that some people have encroached upon government land and are discharging filthy water into the drains, she said they are also dumping garbage near their establishments instead of giving it to the civic body.