Daijiworld Media Network - Margao

Margao, Jan 9: The CCTV surveillance initiative of the Margao Municipal Council (MMC) has yielded results, with officials successfully identifying and penalising a person for illegally dumping waste at a black spot in Comba.

According to MMC sources, CCTV cameras installed along the ring road at Comba near Damodar College captured visuals of an individual unloading 15 to 16 bags of waste from a four-wheeler and dumping them on the roadside. The cameras are part of the first phase of the MMC’s surveillance project, under which CCTV systems have been installed at 11 major garbage black spots across the city.

After reviewing the footage, the MMC lodged a complaint with the Margao town police station, requesting action to trace the vehicle and identify the offender. Acting swiftly, the police tracked down the vehicle owner and summoned him for questioning.

Confirming the action, Margao town police station PI Suraj Samant said the vehicle was seized and kept at the police station. “Based on the complaint from the MMC, the owner was identified and called to the police station. The vehicle was seized, and the person later approached the municipality and paid the fine,” he said.

MMC officials confirmed that the offender paid a fine of Rs 25,000. Civic authorities noted that the large quantity of waste dumped indicated it was likely generated by a commercial establishment rather than a household.

This incident marks the first successful prosecution following the installation of CCTV cameras at garbage black spots in Margao. Earlier surveillance drives by the MMC had resulted in around 200 cases being booked and fines amounting to nearly Rs 4 lakh being imposed, officials said.

MMC authorities have reiterated that strict action will continue against those violating waste management norms, warning that CCTV surveillance will be expanded further to curb illegal dumping across the city.