PANAJI: Taking action against mounting solid waste management violations, North Goa Collector Ankit Yadav on Friday issued directions to the Mapusa Municipal Council and the Village Panchayats of Calangute and Arambol to immediately clear illegal garbage dumps, ensure scientific waste management and submit compliance reports within seven days.
The action follows inspections conducted by Taluka Level Special Cells constituted under directions of the Supreme Court. The Collector’s office has invoked powers under Section 5 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, which were recently delegated to district collectors for a period of one year to enforce compliance with the Solid Waste Management Rules.
Speaking about the action, Yadav said the Collector’s office has been receiving complaints from various areas, following which inspections were carried out and directions issued.
“Based on the Supreme Court’s directions, a special cell has been constituted in all collector offices where we have to periodically submit reports and issue directions under Section 5 of the Environment Act. We had received certain complaints which were forwarded to the taluka-level special cells, and we have received the reports based on which orders have been issued,” he said.
He added that complaints were received from Calangute, Arambol, Mapusa and other areas, following which regular inspections and enforcement action are being carried out.
“The orders pertain to proper waste collection, segregation, collection and scientific management of waste as per the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026, which came into effect from April 1. Specific directions have been issued to all local bodies,” Yadav said.
The most serious violations were reported within the Mapusa Municipal Council limits, where a Taluka Level Team inspection on July 20 found fresh mixed municipal solid waste being dumped at the Assagao dumpsite despite earlier remediation work.
The Goa Waste Management Corporation (GWMC) had earlier remediated around 1.85 lakh cubic metres of legacy waste at the Assagao dumpsite between 2021 and 2024. However, the inspection found that fresh waste had been dumped on the reclaimed area.
A 2025 GWMC survey estimated that the quantity of fresh waste dumped at Survey Nos. 144 and 145 of Assagao village, including waste stored within the shed area, was approximately 99,947.36 cubic metres.
The Collector has directed the Mapusa Municipal Council Chief Officer to urgently undertake scientific remediation of the accumulated waste and clear all garbage dumps within one week.
The council has also been instructed to maintain a fixed sweeping and collection schedule, maintain daily registers, supervise waste collection activities and initiate penalty proceedings against violators.
The inspection also found garbage dumped at the Mapusa Sub-Yard, KTCL Bus Stand and a lane opposite Mapusa Municipal Garden near Vrundawan Hotel.
An inspection of Calangute Panchayat areas on July 20 revealed unhygienic disposal of waste at key tourist locations.
The inspection report noted that “fish waste and other solid waste are disposed of in an unhygienic manner at Calangute Fish Market,” and that drainage channels were open and required covering.
The report also stated that dustbins placed for tourists along the Calangute-Baga beach approach road and public collection points were found scattered due to heavy winds.
The Panchayat Secretary has been directed to cover drainage channels at the fish market and ensure that tourist dustbins are firmly fixed to prevent displacement.
In Arambol, an inspection conducted on July 23 identified two major waste dumping spots.
Near Hotel Prathamesh Restaurant, officials found an open area of around 500 square metres being used by unidentified habitual offenders for dumping household waste.
Behind the same location, an active scrapyard was found where mixed waste had been dumped at two separate points.
The Arambol Panchayat has been directed to immediately remove the waste, conduct regular field inspections, monitor the identified blackspots and carry out enforcement drives against violators.
Special cell to monitor compliance across districts
Yadav said the Collector’s office is now responsible for issuing directions and submitting periodic compliance reports to the state government.
“Till now, these powers were with the Pollution Control Boards, but for a period of one year these powers have been given to the collectors. Along with the powers, we have also been directed to submit reports on a fortnightly and monthly basis,” he said.
“These reports will be sent to the state government secretaries and then forwarded to the Central Government. There is a group of secretaries monitoring the action taken,” he added.
He said the special cell will continue to act on complaints received from citizens.
“As and when we receive any complaint from citizens or anyone else, we will conduct inspections and issue appropriate orders,” Yadav said.
All three local bodies have been directed to submit compliance reports within seven days, along with dated photographs, details of enforcement action taken and documentary evidence of corrective measures. Failure to comply could invite further action under the Environment (Protection) Act
