The Margao Municipal Council's (MMC) decisive move to install CCTV cameras at notorious waste-dumping sites is finally yielding significant results. In a major breakthrough, authorities apprehended a culprit in the act, dumping a large quantity of waste illegally near Damodar College along the ring road on Monday night.
CCTV Catches Culprit Red-Handed
The entire incident was captured clearly by surveillance cameras installed at the Comba black spot. The footage showed an individual in a four-wheeler unloading 15-16 bags of waste onto the roadside before driving away. Acting swiftly on the evidence, the MMC filed a formal complaint with the Margao town police station against the unidentified offender.
An MMC official stated that the nature of the waste suggested a commercial source. "It cannot be domestic waste, it looks like it is from some commercial establishment," the official remarked. The civic body has urgently requested the police to trace and seize the vehicle involved. Once the vehicle is seized, the MMC plans to impose a hefty fine on the culprit, as per standard procedure.
A Persistent Problem Demanding Tech Solutions
This successful catch comes after repeated attempts to curb the rampant illegal dumping across Margao. A senior MMC official revealed that previous drives, while extensive, had not fully solved the issue. "During the surveillance of black spots that we recently conducted, we booked 200 cases of illegal dumping of waste, and levied fines of Rs 4 lakh on the culprits. However, it did not put an end to people dumping waste at these spots," the official explained.
This persistent challenge is what pushed the council to adopt technological surveillance. In the first phase, CCTV cameras were installed at 11 major black spots across the city to monitor activities round-the-clock and gather irrefutable evidence against violators.
New Sonsoddo Plant Offers Hope for Sustainable Disposal
The crackdown on illegal dumping is part of a larger waste management strategy. The council is simultaneously preparing to commission the new gasification plant at Sonsoddo. This facility is critically needed as several black spots across Margao generate approximately five tonnes of mixed waste daily.
MMC officials are hopeful that this new waste disposal plant, which is likely to be operational later this month, will provide a sustainable solution for processing this daily load. By offering a proper disposal channel, the civic body aims to address the root cause of the illegal dumping problem alongside its enforcement actions.
