The installation of surveillance cameras in Pasighat town by the Pasighat Municipal Council (PMC) is being touted as a measure to check indiscriminate dumping of garbage and domestic waste in public places. The initiative comes in response to public complaints about waste being discarded along roadsides and in other areas of the township.

The PMC has already issued a notice urging urban dwellers, shopkeepers, and owners of commercial establishments to maintain cleanliness and hygiene in their surroundings. It has also warned that anyone found dumping garbage along roadsides or in public places will face a penalty of Rs 2,000 or more under applicable municipal rules. Roadsides and public spaces cannot be allowed to become dumping grounds for domestic waste, especially since the municipal council has already appealed to residents and business owners to keep their environments clean.

However, the effectiveness of CCTV surveillance will ultimately depend on consistent monitoring and enforcement. While the cameras will help identify violations, their purpose must be backed by appropriate action against those who disregard municipal rules. Penalties must be imposed strictly in accordance with regulations.

Furthermore, enforcement should never involve the public shaming of citizens, especially when some may struggle to dispose of waste properly due to the irregular schedules and inconsistency of garbage collection vehicles.

Residents, shopkeepers, and commercial establishments certainly share the responsibility to dispose of waste properly and maintain hygienic surroundings. However, to ensure true public cooperation, the PMC must also provide designated disposal points and adequate civic facilities.

The installation of these cameras is a welcome step towards addressing unhygienic waste disposal in Pasighat. The challenge now lies in ensuring that this initiative leads to greater compliance with municipal rules and cleaner public spaces.

While surveillance and penalties are useful enforcement tools, lasting cleanliness ultimately requires responsible behaviour from both the community and the authorities.