A new installation has appeared in the Mumbai Metro, surprising passengers. A 'Touchless Spit Bin'—a device for spitting that can be used without physical contact—was installed at one of the stations. This installation has become the subject of active discussion on social media because, according to metro rules, spitting in enclosed areas is punishable by a fine of up to 500 rupees.
This special container, named the contactless spitting bin, features instructions for use in Marathi and English. The attached sign bears the call to action: 'Be responsible.' This convenient feature was developed by the company Easy Split, which specializes in creating such solutions to combat the problem of spitting in public places.
The reason for creating a dedicated spitting area is that people often spit in inappropriate places in public zones, leading to the contamination of the station and the surrounding area. Providing a fixed spot helps prevent saliva from spreading onto walls, floors, or other surfaces of the station. It is claimed that this bin contains the saliva in a closed space, and the installation itself states that it disinfects viruses within 10 seconds.
However, the main issue being actively discussed on social media relates to the 500 rupee fine for spitting within the Mumbai station premises. Passengers are questioning why a special spitting container is being installed if there are already rules that impose a penalty for such behavior. Nevertheless, the stated goal of introducing this bin is to reduce the problem of uncontrolled spitting in public areas.
The discussion flared up after one user shared a photo of the device on the social network X, calling it a 'specialized spitting zone' in the Mumbai Metro. The image quickly went viral. Some users stated that spitting in public places should not happen at all, while others questioned the necessity of such a convenient feature given the existing fines. One commenter even suggested that instead of providing an option to spit, a ban on consuming pan masala should be introduced.
Thus, this incident has become a source of jokes and discussions on social media. On one hand, the metro urges passengers to maintain cleanliness and refrain from spitting in public areas, having stipulated a penalty for rule violations. On the other hand, a container specifically designed for this purpose has been installed at the station. Currently, this bin is causing widespread public resonance, and it remains an open question whether such a measure will stop people from spitting in unauthorized locations or if it will turn out to be merely an unusual experiment.