Mangaluru: The Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) has intensified its crackdown on littering and improper garbage disposal across the city, imposing fines on students, commercial establishments and eateries found dumping waste in public places. Officials said penalties ranging from Rs 1,500 to Rs 25,000 will be enforced strictly as part of a broader drive to improve urban sanitation and protect the city’s appearance.

In recent enforcement action, a student was fined for littering, while a branded showroom located at Lalbagh on MG Road was penalised Rs 2,000 and directed to immediately clear the garbage it had dumped along the roadside. Several other establishments were also booked during inspections conducted over the past week.

Shops and eateries penalised during inspections

According to civic officials, enforcement teams conducted spot inspections across multiple commercial stretches and identified violations related to roadside dumping and improper waste handling.

Apart from the Lalbagh showroom, a restaurant on Kavoor–Marakada Road and another eatery near the KSRTC bus stand in Bejai were among those fined. Authorities said several additional establishments were also penalised for similar violations, though individual fine amounts varied depending on the severity and frequency of the offence.

In some cases, violators were not only fined but also instructed to immediately remove the waste dumped by them and restore cleanliness around their premises. Officials said repeat offenders could face steeper penalties and further legal action under municipal rules.

Waste management review meeting held

Zonal Commissioner Rekha Shetty said a detailed review meeting on waste management and sanitation enforcement was held on January 30 at the MCC Kadri Zone office. The meeting brought together civic officials and representatives of citizen groups working in the environmental and cleanliness sector.

Participants included Nagaraj Bajal of Green Brigade and Umanath Kotekar of Awake Kudla, both known for their involvement in civic and environmental initiatives. The meeting was attended by the Kadri zone environmental engineer Sushanth, health inspectors, supervisors, cleanliness supervisors and community mobilisers.

During the session, participants shared field-level observations and offered practical suggestions on strengthening waste segregation, improving collection systems, preventing roadside dumping and increasing public awareness.

The zonal commissioner said several of the key recommendations discussed at the meeting will be implemented in a phased manner to improve ground-level waste management outcomes.

MCC says cleanliness is a shared responsibility

MCC Commissioner Ravichandra Naik said maintaining a clean and attractive city is a collective responsibility and cannot be left to the civic body alone. He stressed that public cooperation is essential for long-term success of sanitation efforts.

“Keeping our city clean is not just the MCC’s job; it is our duty,” he said. He added that stricter enforcement has now begun against those who throw garbage on roadsides, empty sites and public spaces, thereby spoiling the city’s beauty and creating health risks.

He warned that violators will face heavy fines ranging from Rs 1,500 to Rs 25,000, depending on the nature of the violation. The fine structure covers individuals, commercial entities and institutions.

Public asked to report littering via WhatsApp

To strengthen enforcement and encourage citizen participation, MCC has urged residents to report incidents of littering and illegal dumping. Members of the public can take photographs of violations and send them through WhatsApp to 9449007722.

Officials said such citizen reports will help enforcement teams identify habitual dumping points and repeat offenders more quickly. The corporation plans to integrate public feedback with its inspection drives and blackspot monitoring system.

Civic authorities believe that community reporting, combined with on-ground enforcement, can significantly reduce open dumping and improve compliance among businesses and the general public.

Focus on behaviour change and compliance

Officials said that while fines are necessary as a deterrent, long-term improvement depends on behavioural change. MCC is working with citizen groups, volunteers and ward-level teams to spread awareness about segregation at source, proper disposal and the environmental impact of plastic and mixed waste dumping.

Awareness campaigns, ward meetings and collaboration with civil society organisations are expected to increase in the coming months. Commercial establishments are also being advised to maintain proper bins, hand over waste only to authorised collectors and avoid dumping outside their premises.

Conclusion

The latest enforcement drive signals a tougher stance by civic authorities on littering and roadside dumping. With spot fines, business penalties and citizen reporting mechanisms now active, MCC aims to create stronger accountability across neighbourhoods and commercial areas. Officials say sustained enforcement, combined with public cooperation, will be key to achieving a cleaner and more liveable city.