the goan I network
MARGAO
Is the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) or other agencies such as the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) aware that waste is disposed off by burning at the industrial units in Sao Jose de Areal village?
In fact, Areal villagers cried foul over the rampant waste burning of waste by the units right under the nose of the authorities, posing pollution risk to the local inhabitants.
A local resident Freddy Travasso captured the waste burning stacked around two units on Tuesday evening when he was passing through the industrial estate. Condemning the incident, Travasso demanded that the IDC and other agencies maintain a close tab on the mode employed by the units for the disposal of the waste. “I cannot say what was the waste all about, but there were bundles of waste that were set afire,” Travasso added.
The residents of Areal had been waging a battle against pollution created by a factory by burning waste. They have also been agitating against the mushrooming scrapyards in the village, some of which have been operating illegally for years now without permission and license from the local panchayat body.
“The residents had been complaining against pollution and waste burning, besides the scrapyards in Areal over the years, but the ground reality remains unchanged. The residents certainly deserve a pollution-free environment,” Travasso added.
He said the villagers will raise the issue at the ensuing gram sabha meeting of the village panchayat, and
asserted that the panchayat also has a role to play in putting an end to pollution and other illegalities.
