The Pune Metro has confiscated over 12.4 kilograms of tobacco-related products at its entrances from September 22 to 29, according to data shared with The Indian Express. The Indian Express visited metro stations and found tobacco stains at isolated locations. Though tobacco and related products are not permitted on the Pune Metro, spit stains were visible at the entrance of Swargate station and on the tracks and escalator at the District Court and Chhatrapati Sambhaji Garden stations. The flanks of the foot overbridge at Chhatrapati Sambhaji Garden station also had noticeable stains. Pune Metro spokesperson Chandrashekhar Tambavekar said, “Metro is taking a lot of efforts to keep the premises clean. However, passengers should also maintain decorum in public spaces and avoid damaging public places. There are very few instances of such damage; however, it creates a bad impression about the city and its culture. MahaMetro is committed to providing clean, pleasant, and safe public transport for Punekars, and requests all stakeholders to help us in this mission”. The officials have seized 3.7 kilograms of tobacco products on the Purple Line (PCMC to Swargate), while 8.7 kilograms on the Blue Line (Vanaz to Ramwadi). Guards at the entry points of all stations scan passengers and confiscate any prohibited items that include tobacco products, firecrackers, alcohol, explosives, petrol, diesel, arms, and hazardous chemicals, among others. All bags are also passed through an X-Ray machine. A cleaner at the foot-over bridge at Chhatrapati Sambhaji Garden station said, "Whenever there is a complaint made by the Metro to our cleaning company, we come to clean the bridge. There are a lot of tobacco stains, and they are very difficult to remove. They leave behind a deep red stain, and even after you scrub them off, a black mark is left behind."
