A 4km beach stretch between Benaulim and Colva in South Goa is facing increased littering after garbage bins removed before the monsoon were not reinstated, with plastic wrappers, bottles and other waste being discarded along the coast during a recent tourist rush.
The affected stretch includes Sernabatim beach, a popular destination for picnickers and families. Local residents said the absence of bins has become more visible as visitor numbers increased over the long weekend beginning with Gandhi Jayanti. With few convenient disposal points available, visitors have limited options for managing their waste after spending time on the beach.
The beach-cleaning agency responsible for the area, Ecostan Infra, said the bins were removed before the monsoon because strong tidal movement during the rains could drag them into the sea. The company said it is now installing the bins again and that the exercise will be completed soon.
The temporary absence of collection points has created a gap between beach-cleaning operations and the way visitors use the coastline. While the agency continues to clean the beach, waste generated by visitors can accumulate or be scattered before it is collected when there are no clearly available bins along the public access areas.
Residents said Sernabatim attracts substantial waste because of its popularity with families and groups of picnickers. The reported litter includes plastic packaging and bottles, raising concerns about coastal pollution as well as the condition of a beach stretch used by both local residents and tourists.
The episode also highlights the operational difficulty of placing permanent waste infrastructure on beaches exposed to seasonal weather and tidal conditions. Removing bins ahead of the monsoon may reduce the risk of them being washed into the sea, but the period before their return leaves visitors without a visible disposal system during periods of high footfall.
Ecostan Infra has not provided a specific completion date in the reported statement, saying only that the bins will be reinstated soon. Until the installation is completed, the Benaulim–Colva stretch, including Sernabatim, remains dependent on visitors carrying waste away or using limited alternative disposal arrangements.
