Illegal dumping plagues Margao’s waste segregation centres

Margao: The Margao Municipal Council (MMC) is grappling with a growing problem of illegal garbage dumping near its waste segregation centres. The problem has turned more acute in the Comba area, where residents point out that truckloads of waste, including coconut shells, are being discarded.
Local councillor Sagun ‘Dada’ Naik, has expressed strong concerns about the increasing incidents of unauthorised dumping. “We have always prioritised cleanliness in our ward, but these illegal activities are undermining our efforts,” said Naik.
The situation has become so concerning that at least one local has installed CCTV cameras at his own expense to monitor the waste segregation centre. Despite these surveillance measures, the problem persists, with perpetrators often taking advantage of the darkness to dump waste illegally, locals said.
One of the residents said that while the municipality’s surveillance team caught and fined some offenders during night operations, the illegal dumping continues unabated. “We regularly witness people disposing of bags full of garbage from outside the ward,” he said.
The municipality is exploring solutions, including a proposal to process coconut husks at the Sonsoddo waste treatment plant site using specialised machinery to convert them into powder. However, civic authorities acknowledge that more stringent measures may be necessary to address the issue.
“We are working with ward representatives to strengthen surveillance and implement more effective waste management strategies,” a municipal official said. MMC officials have urged residents to report any instances of illegal dumping, even as they have emphasised the importance of proper waste segregation and disposal to maintain community cleanliness.