For over 10 years, politicians, panchayats, pressure groups and religious bodies had stiffly opposed the waste treatment plant at Bainguinim. But now, the BJP-led government is on the brink of setting up the plant and there is stoic silence on the issue. In a special focus, THE GOAN seeks to identify reasons for this shift in position
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The setting up of Bainguinim plant is almost confirmed with the government set to take over possession of land from the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) and there is not a whimper against the same.
Over 10 years ago, the Se Old Goa panchayat had come out openly against plans of the then Congress government to set up a waste plant at Bainguinim, and the Old Goa Villagers Action Committee (OGVAC) was even formed to take the fight forward.
Public meetings were held and protests were staged against the government's plan, with agitators insisting that Old Goa is a heritage site.
But, today when the present BJP government is on the brink of setting up the plant at the same site, there is stoic silence on the issue.
When The Goan contacted former MLA Krishna Kuttikar, who was the chairman of OGVAC, to identify reasons over the deafening silence, he said the committee had been formed at the instance of the Se Old Goa panchayat.
"I have to know what stand the panchayat is taking today, because the panchayat authorities were backing us then," said Kuttikar, while stating that there was a reason why there was opposition to the project at that time.
"The CCP had failed on all fronts as far as treating its waste was concerned and the Curca dump site was also forced to be closed down by the locals there."
"So, the CCP somehow wanted to dump garbage in Bainguinim to get rid of its waste and they had an eye on pits existing in the area. Such an exercise would have contaminated the groundwater in the neighbouring villages, particularly the Carambolim lake," explained Kuttikar.
Further, Kuttikar informed that the CCP had no plans as far as scientifically treating the waste was concerned. "This was the main reason for opposing the plant," he stated.
Asked about his personal views on the current situation, Kuttikar replied: "The government should lay bare its plans on the project and then only, go ahead with the plant. The government has to take the people along before going ahead with the project and apprehensions among people have to be addressed first."
The Se Old Goa panchayat authorities stated that they have not taken any stand on the issue.
"I will take into confidence the panchayat body and the people before deciding on the issue," assured Old Goa Sarpanch Janita Madkaikar.
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THE YEARS OF 'STENCH'
* Over 10 years ago, then Cong govt plans to set up a waste treatment plant at Bainguinim
* Local panchayat opposes and a villagers committee is formed to take the fight forward
* Public meetings and protests take place as agitators insist that Old Goa is a heritage site
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NOW, THE STOIC SILENCE
* The present BJP government is on the brink of setting up the plant at the same site
* The government is set to take possession of land from the Corporation of the City of Panaji
* Drums of protest which had been growing louder seem to have abruptly fallen silent
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I have to know what stand the panchayat is taking today, because the panchayat authorities were backing us then
- Krishna Kuttikar, former MLA (Then chairman of the agitating OGVAC)
