Security officials deployed at the Lucknow Metro stations are on a task to sniff out tobacco from commuters and have weeded out over 20 kg of tobacco products in the first two days of its launch.
Metro passengers in the city have been trying various tricks to smuggle tobacco and related products inside coaches.
The Lucknow metro was launched on 6 September.
The passengers, who are in the habit of carrying tobacco products, are not ready to give up and try to smuggle pan masala and other products in their pockets, socks and belts.Security Personnel, Charbagh Metro Station
"During frisking, while entering Metro premises, Metro officials were able to collect approximately 20 kg tobacco and other related items like pan, pan masala, cigarette, etc, from commuters," LMRC MD Kumar Keshav said.
The confiscated items will be handed over to the municipal corporation for disposal. Keshav thanked the commuters for their cooperation and said that it was their duty to keep the metro clean.
Of the total eight stations, six kgs of tobacco products were seized from Charbagh followed by Transport Nagar, where four kg of tobacco products were seized.
Many of those caught said that they were not aware of the ban on carrying tobacco products inside the metro.
“Out of five, every third commuter was carrying a tobacco product and was found chewing tobacco. It is a difficult task to check them. But we are on our toes and committed to keep the metro clean,” a security member said.
Over 32,000 passengers had boarded Lucknow Metro on the first day of the commercial run on 6 September, while the number came down to over 28,000 on the second day yesterday.
LMRC has set a target to complete the entire 23 km track from Amausi to Munshipulia by March 2019. This includes a 3.5 km underground track between Hussainganj to Hazratganj.
(With PTI inputs)
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