Calls for CCTV, barriers to curb recurring violations along busy road
Waste dumped along the Comba stretch of the Margao ring road, with medicine boxes and garbage piled in sacks and plastic bags.
MARGAO
Illegal dumping along the Comba stretch of the Margao ring road—popularly known as Gandhi Road—is rapidly turning the area into an unsightly waste yard, raising serious concerns among residents and daily commuters.
Despite the Margao Municipal Council (MMC) spending Rs 6.5 crore annually on garbage management contracts, locals allege that waste along this stretch is not being cleared in a timely manner. The agreements with contractors mandate daily clearance of garbage, including the removal of identified “black spots,” but the situation on the ground suggests otherwise.
Tensions escalated on Tuesday after medicine boxes were found dumped along the roadside, triggering outrage among citizens. Local activist Miguel Fernandes strongly condemned the act, stating that the manner in which the medical waste was dumped reflects the “audacity of violators” and poses potential health and environmental risks.
A short distance away, garbage bags were seen dumped near a stormwater nullah, indicating that waste has remained uncleared for several days. In addition, sacks filled with refuse were found stacked along the stretch, further highlighting the scale of the problem.
Residents claim that the persistent failure to clear waste has effectively encouraged more illegal dumping. “The area has not been cleaned for a long time. This has only emboldened unscrupulous elements to continue dumping garbage here,” said a local resident. “The MMC must act decisively—either by curbing illegal dumping or by ensuring contractors regularly clear the waste and restore cleanliness to the stretch.”
The growing piles of garbage have not only become a visual eyesore but also raise concerns about public health, sanitation and the effectiveness of municipal waste management systems. Citizens are now urging authorities to take immediate and sustained action to address the issue before it worsens further.
Meanwhile, activist Miguel Fernandes has sent a message to Margao Municipal Chief Officer Madhu Narvekar, alerting him to the critical health hazard at Comba Link Road near Old Market Circle. In his message, he said that garbage bags filled with expired medicines are dumped on the roadside, along with heaps of black plastic garbage bags thrown into the freshwater nullah. “This waste is flowing downstream into the river, polluting water, blocking flow, and risking serious diseases for residents and the community,” he said.
Demanding immediate action, Fernandes has urged the Chief Officer to remove all garbage, especially expired medicines, within 24 hours and take the help of the police to identify and penalise the violators.
He has further suggested that the civic body install barriers/CCTV to prevent recurrence and ensure safe disposal to protect the river. “This is an emergency—please confirm the action plan to avoid escalation,” Fernandes added.
