the goan I network
MARGAO
Beleaguered residents staying around Sonsodo’s immediate neighbourhood directed their ire at the Deputy Chief Minister Vijai Sardesai as they maintained that he did not allow them to highlight their plight, but only gave assurances to resolve the imbroglio.
Heated arguments ensued between the agitated residents and the Deputy CM, with Sardesai demanding to know whether he is to be blamed if they have built their houses close to the dump. The residents hit back and questioned why the municipality issued permission for construction activity around the Sonsodo site.
Iqbal Sheik, Zaheer Khan and Arvind Matigao confronted the Deputy CM when he descended on the site for an inspection of Sonsodo dump which has been burning for the last three days. “The fire and smoke did not allow us to open our doors and windows. The smoke will only give rise to asthma and cancer cases. Why don’t you listen to our plight and work out a solution. Every time, we raise the issue, you do not allow us to talk. We are only given assurance to resolve the issue at the time of voting,” the residents added.
Taken aback, Sardesai told the residents not to talk too much, but extend their cooperation to the agencies to resolve the issue. He later told the media that he sympathizes with the residents and understands their sentiments, promising to work out
a permanent solution to the imbroglio.
“On behalf of the government, I apologize to the citizens of Sonsodo, Curtorim and Raia for undergoing the hardships because of the dump. This is not man made. I appeal to the citizens to bear and allow the government to work out a solution,” Sardesai told the media.
