PORVORIM
Calangute MLA Michael Lobo and Saligao MLA Kedar Naik were emphatic in their opposition to garbage from South Goa being sent to the Solid Waste Management Facility (SWMF) at Saligao.
They put forth their views at a special meeting convened with panchayat members of Saligao, Reis Magos, Pilerne, Sangolda, Calangute and Candolim, officials of the Saligao SWMF, Goa Waste Management Corporation Managing Director Levinson J Martins and Director of Hindustan Waste Treatment Plant Ganesh Kandaswami.
Lobo, Naik and Calangute Sarpanch Joseph Sequeira presented before the officials of the Saligao SWMF the problems being faced by the panchayats and the residents.
Lobo said the Saligao SWMF should stop accepting garbage from Margao, Mormugao and Ponda municipalities.
“The wells in Gaurawado are polluted and representatives of Goa Pollution Control Board had taken the water samples from these wells and confirmed that wells are contaminated. Foul odour spreads in the Calangute and Candolim villages after 5 pm and residents have complained that they cannot open their windows in the evening,” said Lobo.
“The road from Saligao to the Saligao treatment plant is very narrow and heavy trucks proceed to the Pilerne Industrial estate every day. Hence, movement of garbage trucks becomes a problem. No waste should be accepted from South Goa and only garbage trucks of Calangute and Saligao constituencies should be given priority,” said Lobo.
Saligao MLA Kedar Naik said the Saligao SWMF was supposed to only accept garbage from 27 panchayats in North Goa.
“The Saligao SWMF should not accept garbage from South Goa, else the Saligao plant will be overburdened and eventually may breakdown if it starts accepting more and more garbage,” said Naik.
“In case the Saligao SWMF does not stop accepting garbage from South Goa, residents of Saligao constituency will be forced to sit on the road and block the traffic. Some schools are located along the route leading towards the Saligao SWMF and students get disturbed due to movement of garbage trucks. Hence, timings should be fixed for the movement of trucks.”
