Team Herald
MARGAO: In a bid to tackle the growing problem of unauthorized advertisements and graffiti defacing public spaces, the South Goa District Magistrate has instructed the Margao Municipal Council (MMC) to initiate a 45-day special drive to remove such defacements.
Egna Cleetus, South Goa Collector, announced the directive on Wednesday under Section 7 of the Goa Prevention of Defacement of Property Act, 1988. The drive aims to restore Margao’s aesthetic appeal by targeting unauthorised posters, banners, graffiti, and other forms of defacement that have marred the town’s public properties.
The municipal officials have been tasked with identifying affected areas, allocating resources, and coordinating with enforcement teams to execute the initiative. They are required to submit a compliance report, including photographic evidence of the areas before and after the clean-up.
“This visual pollution not only diminishes Margao’s aesthetic charm but also inconveniences residents and tourists. Such activities compromise the visual integrity of public spaces and must be curtailed,” said the Collector.
An awareness campaign will also be launched alongside the drive to educate the public on the legal consequences of defacement, aiming to deter such activities in the future.
The Collector stressed the importance of sufficient manpower and resources for the initiative’s success. Failure to comply with the directive will invite strict legal action against responsible officers or individuals.
The initiative is expected to significantly improve Margao’s environmental and aesthetic integrity, making the town cleaner and more welcoming.