Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Apr 24: Despite repeated instructions from Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) to segregate waste at source into wet, dry, and sanitary categories, violations continue, prompting the corporation to launch a crackdown and begin penalising offenders.
The health department initiated a raid at a hotel located in Lalbagh on Thursday April 24, with inspections currently underway for the past two to three days and expected to continue in the coming days. The operation is part of a broader effort to ensure compliance with waste segregation norms. Officials revealed that a total of Rs 40,000 in fines has been collected over the past three days.
Officials have warned that a penalty of Rs 5,000 will be imposed on commercial establishments found violating waste segregation rules. In case of repeated offences, trade licences may be suspended, and fines could go up to Rs 10,000.
The department has also stated that residential apartments and flats will not be exempt from action. Similar fines will be levied on housing units if violations are found. Health officials confirmed that raids will be extended to residential areas in the near future as part of the enforcement drive.
On Tuesday, a team of officials led by MCC Commissioner Ravichandra Naik conducted surprise raids on hotels around Dr B R Ambedkar Circle. The hotels found not segregating waste were fined, with four establishments being penalised Rs 5,000 each, amounting to a total fine collection of Rs 20,000.
Corporation officials reiterated the importance of proper waste segregation at source, not only for households but also for hotels, apartments, and all other waste-generating units. They emphasized that wet, dry, and sanitary waste must be handed over separately to waste collection workers. The public has already been informed of this requirement.
The enforcement team specifically visited restaurants around Ambedkar Circle and issued fines to those who failed to comply with the segregation norms. Authorities confirmed that such operations would be carried out regularly.
It was stressed that waste must be separated into three different buckets: wet, dry, and sanitary (including diapers and sanitary pads). Wet waste is to be given on all days except Friday, dry waste on Fridays, and sanitary waste on all days. Mixing diapers or sanitary pads with wet waste is strictly prohibited. Corporation workers have been instructed to report such violations to the authorities.
The action follows recent instructions from Dakshina Kannada district in-charge secretary Tulasi Maddineni, who directed MCC to intensify efforts for strict compliance.
Speaking on the issue, Commissioner Ravichandra Naik warned that all homes, hotels, and buildings within MCC limits must mandatorily segregate waste. Failure to do so hampers waste processing and leads to larger civic issues. “Despite continuous awareness efforts, many have not adopted the habit of segregation. Therefore, the corporation has now begun penalising such violations,” he stated.
Raids were carried out in various parts of the city, and this will continue regularly. Fines range from Rs 500 to Rs 15,000 based on the severity of the violation. If the offenders still fail to comply, their water supply may be disconnected, he warned.
In Surathkal, under the leadership of MCC’s Surathkal zonal commissioner Vani Alva, the health department conducted surprise checks. Six shop owners were found violating waste segregation rules and selling banned single-use plastic. Each was fined Rs 1,000. Officials issued warnings that repeated violations could lead to the cancellation of their trade licenses.
On Wednesday, officials raided hotels, bars, and restaurants in Kottara and Urva Store and imposed Rs 5,000 fines on each establishment. As a first-time warning, Rs 5,000 is levied, followed by Rs 25,000 for repeat violations. Continued failure to comply could result in license cancellation. In the past two days alone, MCC has collected a total of Rs 40,000 in fines. The crackdown on violators will continue, the commissioner confirmed.