Mahatma Gandhi Road, where the ban will come in force. Picture by Ashit Rai

Gangtok, Aug. 22: Gangtok is set to go the Singapore route on matters of civic discipline.

On Thursday, new rules will come in force to ensure that the capital’s business hub, M.G. Marg, turns into a model of civic pride.

A ban on littering and spitting, with heavy fines for violations, will be enforced to further bolster the town’s reputation as the cleanest in the hills.

Fines of Rs 50 and above will be imposed on those found littering or spitting on the main road and adjacent market areas.

The fine will depend upon the level of the offence as spelt out in a notification issued by the state urban development and housing department.

The first step towards implementing the concept of a “litter and spit free” zone was taken at a workshop organised by the NGO, Green Circle, at Chumbi Residency on Saturday. The event was organised in collaboration with the urban development department.

The government had earlier decided to initiate such moves to promote the concept of civic responsibility.

The initiative is being funded under the Gangtok Water Supply and Sanitation Project.

Addressing participants at the workshop, Gangtok MLA and chairman of the State Bank of Sikkim N. K. Pradhan said there was a greater need for educating the people at the grassroots level on civic discipline and hygiene. He pointed to the need totarget groups like taxi drivers, shopkeepers, coolies and school children for the successful implementation of the programme.

Pradhan also said the M.G. Marg operation was a pilot project and the concept would soon be introduced in other areas.

“It is the moral duty of the NGOs and other social groups in the capital to create awareness on keeping the surroundings clean, as this is the need of the times,” said Pradhan

He added that levying fines alone would not solve the problem: “We need to inculcate good habits among the people so that both the government and residents are guided by a strong civic sense.”

The “spit and litter free zone” will be demarcated on August 26, with a 30-day grace period before penalties come into play.

Two decades ago, the urban development and housing department had launched the “Keep Sikkim Clean and Green” campaign, resulting in a cleaner state capital.