Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Oct 2: The Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) has launched an enforcement drive against improper waste disposal, with IAS officer Archit Parag Dongre personally leading inspections as part of the initiative.
To ensure effective implementation, inspection and monitoring of solid waste management rules within the corporation limits, Karnataka cadre IAS (Probationary) officer Archit Parag Dongre has been appointed as the nodal officer for solid waste management. Soon after taking charge, he visited various areas to inspect the arrangements and issued instructions to officials.
Accompanied by environmental engineers and health officers, he visited Bendoor, Court, Central Market, Harbour and Port Ward areas and inspected waste segregation and disposal practices. Fines are being imposed on shops and members of the public who violate the rules. Through the drive, the MCC aims to create a clean Mangaluru.
There is a rule requiring residents to segregate wet and dry waste before handing it over. However, the rule is not being properly followed within the corporation limits. Around 30% of households are still handing over mixed waste. If the corporation does not collect waste from such households, the number of black spots where waste is dumped could increase. In this regard, there is a need for the corporation to conduct enforcement drives at households as well. Some members of the public have demanded that fines also be imposed on households that fail to segregate wet and dry waste before handing it over.
In connection with improper waste disposal, MCC officials conducted raids at various shops and other locations in the city on September 29 and imposed fines on those responsible. A fine of Rs 500 was imposed on a supermarket in Surathkal for violating the rules by failing to segregate wet and dry waste. A resident of Pumpwell was fined Rs 500 for disposing of waste at a public place in Bendoorwell. A hotel in Surathkal was fined Rs 500 for violating the rules by failing to segregate wet and dry waste.
A person in Falnir was fined Rs 2,000 for dumping boxes and other materials related to transportation of goods on a public footpath and obstructing pedestrian movement. A fine of Rs 1,000 was imposed for dumping waste on GHS Road. Three residents of Kodikal 5th Cross were fined Rs 500 each, totalling Rs 1,500, for illegally dumping unsegregated wet and dry waste at a black spot. A person was fined Rs 2,000 for illegally dumping garbage and construction waste on a public footpath near Ford Mansion.
A commercial establishment in Surathkal was fined Rs 1,000 for violating the rules by failing to segregate wet and dry waste. A shop in Surathkal was fined Rs 500 for handing over wet and dry waste without segregation. A fine of Rs 5,000 was imposed on an apartment complex in Bejai for violating the rules by failing to segregate wet and dry waste. A hotel in Bejai was fined Rs 1,000 for handing over wet and dry waste without segregation. A person was fined Rs 1,000 for illegally disposing of fish waste at a black spot in Sultan Battery.
Waste should be segregated into four categories. Wet waste includes kitchen waste, vegetable and fruit peels, leaves, leftover food, meat waste, flowers and garden waste, among others. Dry waste includes plastic bottles, paper, cardboard boxes, glass bottles, metal cans, rubber and old clothes, among others. Domestic hazardous waste includes used batteries, CFL bulbs, tube lights, expired medicines, mosquito repellent spray cans, paint cans and old mobile phones and electronic devices, among others. Sanitary waste includes used sanitary pads, baby diapers, wound dressings, blood-stained cotton and used face masks.