London spends Rs 35 lakh in cleaning Gutka stains: Who is behind the mess?
Brent Council is launching a "zero-tolerance" campaign against paan and gutka spitting, costing London taxpayers £30,000 annually.
New Delhi: The iconic grey pavements of North-West London are turning a stubborn shade of scarlet, but it isn’t art, it’s a public nuisance. Brent Council has declared a "zero-tolerance" war on the spitting of paan and gutka, a habit that is costing the local government a staggering £30,000 (over Rs 35 lakh) annually to scrub away.
The "scarlet" streets of Brent
What was once a sight primarily associated with the bustling streets of South Asia has now become a major headache for London officials. In neighbourhoods like Wembley, red streaks are appearing on everything from telephone boxes and flower beds to public stairwells.
The mixture, a potent blend of betel leaf, nuts, herbs, and tobacco, creates a bright red, narcotic-infused saliva that, once spat, acts more like an industrial dye than a temporary mess. Brent Council officials report that even high-powered cleaning jets are often powerless against the most stubborn stains, leaving permanent marks on the city's infrastructure.
Fines and patrols
Tired of the mounting cleaning bills and environmental damage, the Labour-run council has launched a massive enforcement campaign. Anyone caught spitting paan in public now faces an immediate £100 (over Rs 12,000) fine. Also, the banners have been erected in the three most affected areas to warn residents of the legal and financial consequences.
The council has increased patrols in Wembley and the surrounding areas to catch perpetrators in the act. The council is working with the community to encourage proper disposal and raise awareness about the "unpleasant and unhygienic" nature of the habit.
A hidden health crisis
Beyond the aesthetic and financial cost, the council is highlighting a grave health warning. Citing studies from the World Health Organisation (WHO), officials are reminding the public that betel nut is a known carcinogen. Even without the addition of tobacco, chewing paan significantly increases the risk of oral cancers, making the "red spit" a symbol of a deeper public health concern.