MAPUSA: With an aim to keep an eye on those dumping garbage along the roadside, Mapusa Municipal Council (MMC) has identified ten locations across its jurisdiction for installing CCTV cameras.
Mapusa is facing major problems pertaining to garbage issue, one is garbage being dumped on the border areas of the town while the other is that the town is also used as a dumping point.
It may be recalled that on May 27 at an ordinary council meeting MMC had resolved to install CCTV cameras at sites proposed by councillors to check on defaulters.
In the meeting another significant resolution was passed by the council to implement the amended Goa non biodegradable garbage (control) act 1996 which gives powers to civic bodies to impose penalty on defaulters who are found throwing garbage in public drainage system, roads and open places. In case of residential houses the act allows to impose a fine of Rs 200 for the first offense, Rs 500 for second offense and Rs 5,000 and or imprisonment for one month for every subsequent offense.
In case of commercial establishments the defaulter will be imposed a fine of Rs 2,000 first offense, Rs 5,000 for the second offense and Rs 25,000 and or imprisonment of one month for every subsequent offence.
Acting on the resolution, a survey was held across the municipal jurisdiction to identify those locations where garbage was dumped along the roadside. The identified locations are at housing board- Ganeshpuri, Karaswada-Colvale border area, Cunchelim – Karaswada junction, Paulo house at Altinho, Remanso hospital, old Asilo hospital, opposite fish market, opposite Remy photo studio, Ghateshwar temple and Canca bypass road where the municipality has proposed installation of CCTV cameras.
When contacted chief officer Clen Madeira said, “The locations are identified where garbage is being dumped and CCTV cameras will be installed to check on defaulters. A fine will be imposed and if the same person is caught for more than three occasions, a case will be registered against him, he can also be imprisoned for a period of one month”.
“Our major concern is Mapusa border areas were garbage is brought and dumped along the roadside either late night or early morning. We have also issued challan books to all supervisors so that if they catch any defaulter they can fine them. However, people dump garbage at odd timings and hence CCTV cameras will play an important role “added the chief officer.
“We expect by November the entire process of CCTV installation will be completed and will start imposing fines to defaulters,” said Madeira