Bengaluru: After the introduction of the BBMP’s novel idea of using veterans to monitor the littering epidemic, the progress report shows that from the 198 wards in the city, the 80 marshals have collected Rs 7.85 lakhs in fines from the litter-bugs. The biggest whopper is that this amount was collected in just two months.

With the intention of ensuring that the general public doesn’t litter in public places, the BBMP enlisted the service of 80 marshals, who are retired army personnel, from October 25. “These marshals are authorized to collect fines from those throwing waste in public and open spaces,” informed a BBMP officer.

Between October 25 and January 4, these marshals collected Rs 7.85 lakh in fines. “3,127 persons were fined for littering while riding two-wheelers while the rest were fined for discarding waste from other vehicles. The highest amount was collected from the BBMP’s Yalahanka division. The highest number of littering cases were reported from the Kumaraswamy layout and KR market area,” the authorities informed.

Sarfaraz Khan, joint commissioner (health and solid waste management) said that this drive will continue in order to make the city blackspot-free.