MARGAO
In mid-December last year, hopes were raised when Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) Chairman Levinson Martins issued a show cause notice to Margao Municipal Chief Officer Madhu Narvekar over the dumping of unsegregated waste, including sanitary waste, at the Sonsodo waste management site. The notice signalled possible strict action and renewed expectations that the waste issue at Sonsodo would finally be addressed in accordance with environmental norms.
More than two months later, however, questions are being raised about the current status of the unsegregated and sanitary waste allegedly dumped at the site. Has the Margao Municipal Council (MMC) removed the unauthorised waste? And if so, has the GSPCB carried out a follow-up inspection at Sonsodo to verify compliance on the ground?
The show cause notice, issued under the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, followed an inspection by the GSPCB which reportedly revealed that the MMC had dumped approximately 20 tonnes of unsegregated and mixed solid waste, including sanitary waste, at Sonsodo and covered it with mud.
In his directive, the GSPCB Chairman had asked the MMC Chief Officer to explain within seven days why action should not be initiated against him for the alleged violations. The civic body was warned of stern action if it failed to immediately segregate and remove the dumped waste and dispose of it in a scientific manner, as mandated by law. The MMC was also directed to remediate the site and restore the land to its original condition within the stipulated timeframe.
With the deadline long past, there has been no official word on whether the waste has been excavated, segregated, and scientifically processed as directed. Sources indicate that one of the options before the GSPCB is to excavate the site to ascertain whether the civic body has complied with its orders. Failure to do so, they say, could expose the Board to criticism and reinforce allegations that it lacks enforcement teeth.
The issue has already drawn sharp political reaction. Former Margao Municipal Chairperson Savio Coutinho had earlier described the GSPCB as a “toothless tiger,” alleging that the Municipality dumped another vehicle load of mixed waste at the site even after the show cause notice was served.
As the controversy lingers, residents and environmental activists await clarity on whether the directions issued in December have been implemented — and whether accountability will follow if violations persist.
GSPCB’s observations
of the site
During the course of the inspection, the following observations were made:
A tipper truck arrived at the site and proceeded towards the western side of the unit.
As the GSPCB official with the GWMC official approached the spot, the tipper was observed dumping mud at the site. Simultaneously, a JCB was observed moving towards the same area.
The tipper exited the spot after dumping the mud.
On close examination of the site it was observed that mud is dumped over mixed waste which includes sanitary waste.
The JCB started leveling the heaps of mud which had been dumped earlier prior to the inspection.
The site in question is located along the western boundary of the unit and lies in close proximity to Manovikas High School.
A major portion of this boundary area has been backfilled using the same procedure described above.
A substantial area of the land has been covered and levelled with mud as observed at the time of inspection.
