Canacona has been grappling with garbage problem despite ofhaving a garbage treatment plant which was set up at a cost of over Rs 2 croreat Dumanem, in Agonda.
Bad management and improper decision has reduced thetreatment plant ineffective to treat huge garbage generated on daily basis inthe taluka.
The plant can treat only 5 metric ton of garbage per daywhile the garbage generated is more than 10 metric ton on daily basis.
“Though the garbage treatment plant at Dumanem was meant totreat garbage from the entire taluka, it is posing health-related problems tolocals as well as passers-by owing to lack of proper treatment facility at thesite,” said Sapnesh Desai, a panch of Dumanem of Agonda village panchayat.
According to CMC Engineer Ajay Fal, as per the agreement thegarbage plant will be operated by company executives for one year by which timethe municipality staff will also be trained to operate the plant.
“The municipality needs to provide only electricity andwater, besides some minor machinery maintenance,” he said.
Surprisingly although huge amount of garbage is dumped atthe treatment plant, the plant is operated only once a week.
“From day one the plant has turned out to be a breedingground for flies and bacteria. The people from Agonda village panchayat isaffected the most since huge quantity of garbage is being dumped at the plantevery day while the plant is operational once in a week,” said Dilju Pagi, sarpanchof Agonda.
Santosh Gaonkar, former chairperson of Canacona municipalitydisclosed that despite having a garbage plant, people continue to dump garbageanywhere in the forest and isolated areas.
A starred hotel in the locality has recently been served anotice for dumping garbage along the road side, municipality inspector D Yessodisclosed.
Palolem, Patnem, Rajbhag and other coastal areas apart fromChaudi is littered with refuse, giving an ugly look to the village. Moreover,the stink around the plant will slowly make it a breeding ground for vectorborne diseases.
CMC chairperson, Ajay Bhagat said that the garbage treatmentplant constructed on a land admeasuring 4225 sq mt is not sufficient to treatday to day garbage. “I will take up the matter before the council monthlymeeting,” he said.
Chief Officer, Prashant Shirodkar said he has alreadyinstructed the municipal engineer, supervisors and inspectors to take strictaction against those who violate laws by disposing garbage at public places.
