the goan I network
MARGAO
With slaughter and other waste continuously finding its way in the Digaband rivulet on the NH-17, the Chinchinim village panchayat has knocked the doors of the district Collector, South to treat the situation as a “disaster” and initiate measures to abate the nuisance under the Disaster Management Act.
The panchayat has sought the intervention of the district Collector saying that the measures initiated by the panchayat body has proved ineffective to reign in on the unscrupulous elements, who have virtually turned the rivulet at the Digaband (culvert) as waste dumping site.
“It is observed for the last three months that several bags of contaminated slaughter waste is continuously being dumped in and around the Digaband culvert on the NH-17 during night time which is beyond the control of the panchayat,” Sarpanch Inacina Rebello told the Collector in her letter.
She said the panchayat had taken various measures including erection of signboards for no dumping, cleaning of road side vegetation for getting a clear view of the persons dumping the waste, mostly carried out during night time and in the wee hours. “We have also conducted surprise visit to the meat traders to check their system of disposal in the jurisdiction of the village panchayat,” the sarpanch added.
Deputy Sarpanch Valentino Barretto informed The Goan that pending action by the district Collector, South under the disaster management plan, the panchayat has resolved to illuminate the Digaband area and installed Closed Circuit TV Surveillance cameras at the site. “We now suspect that slaughter waste from other places also finds its way in the Digaband culvert. The situation is indeed bad with each passing day. The panchayat has approached the office of the South Goa Collector so that effective measures are initiated by the Collector under the disaster management plan,” Valentino said.
Besides local residents of Chinchinim and neighbouring Sirlim, there’s no dearth of complaints from travelers on the NH-17 between Margao-Canacona and Margao-Betul that the entire area is enveloped with foul odour, indicating the seriousness of the problem.
The issue had repeatedly figured at the neighbouring Dramapur-Sirlim village panchayat gram sabha in recent times, with members demanding the FDA intervene in the matter and find out from the meat stalls how they dispose of their daily waste.
Former Dramapur Sarpanch Domnick Noronha said that the situation is indeed serious, saying that the situation may even cause an outbreak of epidemic if not addressed on utmost priority.
