Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi

Udupi, Dec 4: Local administrations have stepped up vigilance against those dumping waste indiscriminately, and actions against violators are on the rise. On Wednesday, the Tenk gram panchayat imposed a fine of Rs 5,000 on the driver of a vehicle that discharged fish waste water along the national highway near Padubidri, and issued a stern warning.

Despite a warning board installed at the spot, the tempo driver allegedly emptied the waste water right beside it, openly challenging the panchayat. Alert members of the public informed the panchayat, following which its members rushed to the spot, sought assistance from Padubidri police and collected the fine.

It is learnt that the driver hails from Bantwal. While he identified himself as Latheef before the police, he provided the name Suhain while paying the fine to the panchayat.

In a similar instance, on December 1, Kaup town municipality traced an Andhra Pradesh-registered lorry that had dumped waste along the highway near Koppalangady. The officials made the crew return, collect the dumped waste and also imposed a fine of Rs 2,000 on them.

On November 13, Kanakamajalu gram panchayat had fined a resident of Arlapadavu Rs 4,500 for dumping garbage along the highway near Kanakamajalu in Sullia taluk. On October 23, Bengaluru tourists who dumped waste into the Kumaradhara river at Kukke Subrahmanya were traced and fined Rs 2,000.

On November 17, tourists who dumped waste into the Kumaradhara river at Kukke Subrahmanya were made to pay a fine of Rs 1,500.