MARGAO
Mixed waste, including coconut shells, husk and plastic waste, reportedly from the commercial capital found its way in Benaulim along the PWD, National Highway property acquired for the western bypass, triggering outrage amongst Benaulikars.
As the waste and debris was found dumped on the PWD, NH-acquired property, on the banks of river Sal, Benaulikars mulled criminal action against all those involved in the criminal dumping of the waste from the Margao Municipality in the village.
As the incident sparked outrage in Benaulim, no authority including the Margao Municipal Council nor the PWD, National Highway was ready to accept the responsibility for the waste dumping.
When The Goan called up Margao Municipal Chief Officer Gaurish Sankhwalkar to shed light on the waste from Margao dumped at Benaulim on the PWD acquired land for the western bypass, the Chief officer said the contractor must have asked for the waste for land filling.
PWD sources, however, said that the waste in question cannot be used for land filling since it consists of coconut shell, husks, besides plastic waste. With PWD sources saying the waste cannot be used for land filing, questions are being raised whether the waste is being dumped for drying to set it on fire at a later stage.
While the MMC officials virtually went on a denial mode over its involvement in the waste dumping at Benaulim, sources in the know informed that truck loads of waste, including waste from housing board area, comprising of garden and tree waste, besides coconut shells have found its way into Benaulim.
MMC Chief Officer Sankhwalkar, when questioned by The Goan, that people of Benaulim are blaming the Margao Municipality for dumping the city waste in the village, he said the contractor might have taken the waste dumped near the KTC bus stand for land filling.
Social activist and Benaulim resident Roque Fernandes slammed the Margao Municipality for dumping the waste at Benaulim. “The waste has been dumped right on the banks of river Sal. Some months ago, the MLAs of Margao Digambar Kamat and Benaulim Venzy Viegas had descended on the banks of river Sal to take a pledge to save the river, Salcete’s lifeline. Will river Sal be saved if such indiscriminate waste is being dumped close to the banks of the river”, Roque questioned.
Another resident questioned. “Who has given the people involved in the activity the authority to dump waste at the site. This is open dumping of waste. The Goa State Pollution Control board should immediately inspect the site and initiate action under the polluter pays principe”.
