In a significant victory for urban cleanliness drives, the Margao Municipal Council (MMC) has successfully used its newly installed CCTV surveillance system to identify and penalize a person for illegally dumping a large quantity of waste. This marks the first successful prosecution since the cameras were deployed across the city's notorious black spots.
CCTV Footage Captures the Act
The incident unfolded at a designated black spot in Comba, located along the ring road near Damodar College. The high-resolution CCTV cameras, recently set up by the civic body, captured clear footage of an individual. The person was seen unloading 15-16 bags filled with waste from a four-wheeler and disposing of them illegally on the roadside.
Officials from the MMC noted that the sheer volume of the discarded material suggested it originated from a commercial establishment, rather than being regular household garbage. Upon reviewing the footage, the MMC authorities took immediate action.
Swift Police Action and Penalty
The Margao Municipal Council promptly filed a formal complaint with the Margao Town Police Station, providing the CCTV evidence and urging officers to track the vehicle and identify its owner. The police, led by PI Suraj Samant, acted swiftly on the request.
"Acting on the request of the MMC, the owner was identified and called to the police station today. His vehicle has been seized and kept at the police station," confirmed PI Suraj Samant. The identified individual later proceeded to the municipality's office and paid the imposed fine in full.
MMC sources confirmed that the culprit paid the full penalty amount of Rs 25,000. This substantial fine underscores the civic body's strict stance against those who flout waste disposal rules and degrade public spaces.
A New Phase of Surveillance and Enforcement
This successful case is a direct result of the MMC's proactive initiative to install CCTV cameras at 11 major black spots across Margao in its first phase. The goal is to deter illegal dumping and hold offenders accountable through concrete visual evidence.
The council has been actively conducting surveillance operations, which have already led to 200 cases being booked and fines totalling Rs 4 lakh being levied. However, this incident in Comba represents the first instance where CCTV footage directly led to identification, police action, and a successful penalty collection.
This move signals a stronger, technology-backed approach by the Margao Municipal Council to tackle the persistent problem of illegal waste dumping, aiming to keep the city cleaner and hold commercial and residential violators responsible for their actions.
