The Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched under Narendra Modi is nothing new “ the UPA had a similar campaign called Bharat Nirman which flopped due to no publicity and poor funds. The present government has pumped in money but as usual the people incharge take advantage of the funds and produce no results. Despite funds being announced, there is garbage all around. The garbage contractor does not pick up the waste and allows piling on the roadsides at many designated collection points. The GSIDC has appointed BVG to collect waste along the highways and few MDR roads. St Cruz panchayat should be credited for dismantling the collection point which was poorly managed by BVG along this highway. Near the Mapusa Municipal council Assagao site which borders Siolim village, the contractor used to clear the site after 3 days but now its been more than 3 weeks that the dumpsite has not been cleared. The dump gives a dirty smell and with the rains pounding down, there is a fear the waste will flow down into the houses/ fields of the residents who live below the hill in Marna. I appeal to GSIDC and GSPCB and the panchayat minister to see that the waste is immediately cleared. I also hope the panchayat minister will check on the status of the VP Siolim-Marna door-to-door collection file lying with the authorities awaiting sanction of funds.
Gregory E. D’souza, Siolim
