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Diners who litter or don't return their trays at Tekka Food Centre might now want to think twice...
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Posted on 18 February 2025 01:37 pm
The National Environment Agency has installed CCTV cameras at Tekka Food Centre in order to crack down on litterbugs following complaints of diners not clearing the tables after their meals.
Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Alvin Tan, who is also the MP for Tanjong Pagar GRC, recently posted on Facebook to thank NEA for the installation of the CCTV cameras.
He said that the cameras were to obtain evidence to crack down on litterbugs and identify problem areas.
According to Shin Min Daily News, two CCTV cameras could be seen at Tekka Food Centre, near the return area for dishes and trays, and facing the dining area.
Signboards set up by NEA showed a total of 88 people were found smoking or littering in the area between July and November 2024.
However, vendors shared that the main problem was garbage.
Mr Yan, 65, who has been running a bread stall for more than 30 years, shared that during the day, most diners abide by the law and only a few litter or do not return their trays.
"But there are days when the cleaners start work at 7am, they see garbage all over the floor and trays filled with dirty dishes," he said.
The drinks stall vendor also shared that Tekka Food Centre is crowded every Sunday and there are often diners who do not return their dishes or leave rubbish.
When the Chinese daily visited the food centre on Feb 9, it was packed with people.
There was a lot of garbage - tissue paper, plates and drink cans - on the ground at one part of the food centre.
Another vendor observed that the place would be filled with rubbish when she got to her stall every morning at 6am.
"No one cleans up when the cleaners are done working, so the situation is really bad. I hope the CCTV cameras can have a deterrent effect."
Many residents shared that in the evenings and on Sundays, some customers would hog seats or appear drunk, affecting their dining experience.
Mr Lin, 78, who has limited mobility, said that it's terrible during peak hours. He would have trouble finding a seat and would often have to clean the table before getting his food.