Garbage dumped by the roadside in Khorlim, Mapusa.
MAPUSA
Picture these two contrasting incidents. Two days ago, local MLA Joshua D’Souza and Mapusa Municipal Council (MMC) Chairperson Shubanghi Vaigankar with brooms in hand participated in a cleanliness drive in Khorlim, Mapusa. It was an event to showcase BJP’s commitment to social service.
Some metres away, in the same locality, garbage was seen strewn in an open space displaying the underbelly of the town.
There seems to be no end to garbage woes in Mapusa as garbage pile-up has become a common sight in many areas falling under the Mapusa Municipal Council (MMC).
Heaps of garbage and garden waste are seen lying in open spaces for weeks and sometimes even for months with the civic authorities failing to get their act together.
Garbage dumps on roadsides are also a common sight. Several areas like Dangui Colony, Shetya-vaddo, Duler, Karrasvaddo and Khorlim have open garbage dumps where strays can be seen rummaging through the waste.
“Unauthorised waste dumping spots at roadsides have become a common sight across the town. Garbage is often found littered around the open space making the stretch unhygienic. It’s not only authorities but residents also follow a callous approach towards waste management,” said Anant Naik, a Mapusa resident.
Local residents and councillors have been complaining about the poor sanitation conditions in the wards. Locals also allege that door-to-door garbage collection is irregular in several localities despite the MMC hiring the services of a private contractor to collect daily household waste in 10 out of the 20 wards in the town.
“Labour management or the lack of it and shortage of vehicles are the two main issues that have been affecting garbage management in town. There is no problem with the door-to-door waste collection at least in my ward but the issue is collection of waste from roadside and open space,” said Shashank Narvekar, councillor of Ward 5.
“We ask officials concerned to ensure that garbage is picked up on time and we are given assurances, but in reality, no work is happening and the waste continues to pile up sometimes for several weeks,” said another councillor, requesting anonymity.
However, civic officials said all systems were in place to pick up garbage on time but due to shortage of vehicles, garbage pile-up does occur in some places.
“We are trying our best with limited resources at our disposal to clear the garbage mess on the roadside and open places. But due to certain limitations which are beyond our control we cannot attend to some areas,” a civic official said.
