Youth block gates, oppose waste from outside designated talukas
Local residents protest against the proposed expansion of waste intake at the Cacora waste treatment plant, Curchorem.
SANGUEM
Youth and local residents staged a protest opposing the proposed expansion of waste intake at the Manohar Parrikar Integrated Solid Waste Treatment Plant (SWTP) at Cacora in Curchorem, following reports that additional waste from outside the designated areas would be diverted to the facility.
The agitation was triggered after a report claimed that garbage from Navelim would be transported to the Cacora plant. The report further stated that the issue had been discussed between the Navelim MLA and Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, along with Curchorem MLA Nilesh Cabral, and that approval had allegedly been granted for diverting the additional waste to the Cacora waste treatment plant.
According to the report, the Navelim MLA had attributed the rising garbage problem in his constituency to large-scale dumping by migrants and tenants, prompting the move to redirect waste to the Curchorem facility.
However, the development has sparked widespread resentment among locals, who have strongly objected to the decision being taken without any consultation with residents or stakeholders of Curchorem.
Protesters gathered at the entrance of the plant, raising slogans and blocking any attempt to bring in additional waste.
Residents expressed serious concerns over the environmental and health impact of the existing plant, stating that foul odour from the facility is already affecting surrounding areas. They warned that any increase in waste intake would further deteriorate living conditions and pose a greater threat to public health.
Youth gathered at the site pointed out that the plant was originally intended to cater to waste from only four specified talukas, including Quepem, Sanguem, Sarbandor and Canacona, and alleged that the move to include areas like Navelim amounts to a breach of earlier assurances given to the people of Curchorem.
Local activist Dattaraj Desai and other speakers criticised Nilesh Cabral, accusing him of permitting the expansion despite strong opposition from residents. Protesters made it clear that Curchorem would not be allowed to become a dumping ground for garbage from other constituencies.
The agitation intensified with youth and citizens taking a firm stand at the plant gates, declaring that they would not allow any additional waste from outside the originally designated areas to be brought into the Cacora facility.
