MARGAO: Apparently buoyed by Swacch Bharat Abhiyan, the South Goa Police have gone hammer and tongs against violators and booked 4,337 persons for disposing garbage and littering in public places.
The South Goa police have reported that from January to July 21, this year, a total of 4,337 cases have been booked by various police stations in the district, resulting in fines amounting to Rs 4,33,700.
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According to South Goa SP Sunita Sawant, the enforcement is in accordance with the Goa Non-Biodegradable Garbage (Control) Act of 1996, which prohibits the improper disposal of garbage, particularly plastic, in public spaces, drains, and sewers, with fines imposed on offenders.
Among the police stations, Canacona police recorded the highest number of cases at 787, followed by Curchorem with 771 cases, Colva with 383 cases, Cuncolim with 356 cases, Ponda with 319 cases, Margao Town with 300 cases, Maina-Curtorim with 229 cases, Quepem with 223 cases, Fatorda with 250 cases, Sanguem with 193 cases, Vasco with 273 cases, Verna with 23 cases, and Mormugao with 18 cases. Ponda police recorded 319 cases, Mardol police recorded 110 cases, and Collem police recorded 102 cases. It is noted that Vasco Railways and Dabolim Airport did not report any cases during this period.
In comparison to the previous year, South Goa police have reported a total of 6,746 cases under the Goa Non-Biodegradable Garbage (Control) Act 1996 until December 17, 2023.
Among these cases, Curchorem police station leads with 1,870 cases, indicating proactive measures against garbage dumping in 2023. Surprisingly, Dabolim Airport and Vasco Railway Station police stations have reported zero cases, suggesting either effective waste management practices or potential enforcement issues.
Despite Margao’s commercial activities and the use of banned plastic bags by shopkeepers, only 572 cases were filed by the police by December 17 last year. Colva police registered 561 cases despite awareness campaigns. In comparison, in 2022, South Goa police stations filed 5,808 cases under the same Act, with Curchorem and Cuncolim ranking high in the number of cases.
Local residents have highlighted ongoing challenges with open garbage dumping, leading to issues such as stray animal overpopulation and road accidents. Despite efforts by Margao municipality in household garbage collection, the problem persists, necessitating continued enforcement and community awareness to address the issue effectively.
