Garbage collection halts in port town due to lack of space

Several trucks loaded with garbage have been parked in the MMC garage as the garbage collected cannot be dumped at the garbage dumping site. The decomposing garbage in the trucks has caused considerable stench in the area.

Speaking to reporters, social activist Preetam Queloscar said the garbage-laden trucks had been parked in the garage since the last three days.

"The garbage dumping site in Sada is also overflowing and there is no space. To make matters worse, the MMC JCB is broken.”

“The MMC does not have funds and we request the government to intervene and solve the council's financial issue on a permanent basis. Scarcity of funds could cause an issue for the new council as well," said Queloscar.

According to MMC Chief Officer Sandhya Kamat, the JCB of the MMC has gone for repairs and as a result, the existing garbage at the dump site cannot be move ahead to create space and accommodate fresh garbage.

"The dump site has space but the garbage piled near the entry needs to be pushed further to make more space available. A JCB is needed for this task, but the MMC's JCB is broken and cannot be repaired in the State.”

“A JCB on rent costs as much as Rs 15,000 per day and this is not feasible for long considering the financial crisis faced by MMC. We have already moved a proposal for a new JCB but we are yet to receive an approval,' said Kamat.

“We have taken another JCB on rent so that the existing garbage can be pushed further and space is made available at the garbage site.”

The MMC chief officer said the council also has approval for two more garbage plants, but said a committee needs to be formed and an inspection report has to be prepared before the plants can be put into operation.

“These plants may begin operations in May after which the garbage issue will be resolved," said Kamat.