MARGAO
The Margao Municipal Council may face the bitter prospect of being pulled up under the National Green Tribunal’s Polluter pay principle as the NGT has banned disposal of waste by burning.
In fact, when the Sonsodo legacy dump was engulfed by fire way back in May 2019, it had taken the district administration around a week to cap the raging fire. The Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) had then slapped a fine of Rs one crore on the civic body under the Polluter pay principle.
So far, the GSPCB seemed to have not taken cognizance to the recurring fires inside the Sonsodo waste treatment plant.
In fact, the recurring fires witnessed inside the Sonsodo waste treatment plant appeared to be minor in nature, official says. But, residents of neighbouring Curtorim say they have seen smoke travelling towards the village as per the wind direction, exposing them to the risk of contracting respiratory diseases.
In fact, a resident demanded to know why statutory agencies such as the GSPCB has not moved in at the Sonsodo plant till date with fire and smoke billowing out of the plant almost every alternate day. “We are sure the smoke billowing out from the waste treatment plant is harmful for the humans. We hope and pray that the GSPCB takes cognizance of the fires and smoke emanating from the waste treatment plant and suggest remedial action,” remarked a resident.
