Panaji: State govt has initiated a drive to act against the illegal disposal of garbage along roads. The drive began on Friday and resulted in the registration of 14 cases against offenders and the collection of fines amounting to Rs 35,000. Officials of the Goa Waste Management Corporation (GWMC) and the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) conducted the enforcement drive near Mugali junction at the San Jose De Areal panchayat area, near Maruti Mandir at Davorlim, and the Rawanfond circle at Aquem.
The officials fined violators under the Goa Non-Biodegradable Garbage Control Act for dumping waste. A fine of Rs 2,500 was levied per violation. GSPCB and GWMC will conduct such enforcement drives regularly across the state.
GWMC is clearing waste along highways and major roads in the state. Indiscriminate dumping of waste is observed along roads and to stamp out this menace, the drive was conducted near Margao. “Many people said that panchayats of San Jose De Areal, Rumdamol, Curtorim, Davorlim, and Aquem Baixo are not collecting wet waste on a daily basis,” a senior officer said.
“Therefore, the residents said they were left with no option other than dumping along roadsides where GWMC contractors collect waste.” While GSPCB and GWMC drives will carry on, officials said the onus is on village panchayats to collect dry and wet waste from households daily. “The authorities are determined to put an end to this malpractice, which not only tarnishes the beauty.