Even though authorities have time and again asked the citizens to remain vigilant, several passengers commuting in rickshaws, taxis and buses were observed travelling without face masks.
Moreover, while inspecting Sion, Dadar, Matunga and Parel areas, it was observed that only one driver out of 5 taxi drivers was wearing a mask. Most drivers were found to be using the mask improperly. In addition, not only the driver but also the passengers showed the same indifference. Similarly, the same was observed in Dharavi, Bandra, Khar, Wakola and Santacruz areas.
Earlier on February 17, Mumbai’s civic body, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) revealed that it has collected a fine of INR 30.69 crores from people who were caught without face masks in public places in the last 10 months.
Despite the state government’s request to wear masks and maintain social distancing norms due to steady rise in the number of cases, the civic body has caught over 15 lakh people since April last year for flouting the rules. Out of these offenders, 13,008 were caught on February 15 and a fine of INR 26,01,600 was collected from them, a BMC official said. The BMC has been imposing a fine of INR 200 for not wearing a face mask in public places.
Meanwhile, on Thursday, February 18, Municipal Commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal announced that orders have already been issued to raid marriage halls, restaurants, clubs and more such places where people gather in huge numbers. Furthermore, Mayor Kishori Pednekar asserted that "It's a matter of concern. Most people travelling in trains don't wear masks. People must take precautions or we will head towards another lockdown."
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