The drive has been initiated to check the rampant practice of throwing garbage on the road instead of disposing it of in garbage containers. At present, the drive is restricted to some wards, but the civic body is planning to implement the same across the city.

Shailesh Naik, who looks after VMC's sanitation project, said: "We have already adopted the plan to make the Banyan City one of the cleanest in the state, and for next two years, the emphasis would be on sanitation works. As part of the plan, we have started fining people, especially the shopkeepers. We have collected the 'on the spot' fine to the tune of nearly Rs 1 lakh." The drive will continue until the shopkeepers do not develop the habit of keeping the surroundings clean and throw the garbage in the bins.

VMC officials are already working on the new design of garbage bins and awareness campaigns. Naik said: "As far as fining the shopkeepers is concerned, we would continue with the drive. But before fining citizens, we would provide them with garbage bins at every possible place. We are already working on the new design and in some of the areas like Ekta Nagar, they have already been installed."

Earlier, city Mayor Balkrishna Shukla had announced that the cleanliness drive would not be just a corporation exercise, but members of public would be made part of the campaign.