MMC tasked with convincing HC about fire safety arrangements at Sonsodo

That the High Court bench comprising of Justice Bharat Deshpande and Justice M S Sonak has expressed concern over the fire safety at Sonsodo became evident when they pointed out there is yet another issue about the fire safety arrangement at Sonsodo. 

As the Counsel for the parties assured the Court that the same would be sorted out at the earliest, the High Court has posted the matter for further consideration on September 5, wherein the MMC may be called up on the file status on the fire safety arrangement at Sonsodo.

In its direction to treat  the Sonsodo waste at the Cacora waste treatment plant, the High Court has observed that the Sonsoddo site can be a source of serious health hazards, pointing out the site has witnessed several fires and leakage of leachate in the past.

In its April 12, 2023 directions to the Margao Municipal Council on Sonsodo, the High Court had called upon the civic body to take immediate measures because in the past there have been several incidents of fires raging at this site. 

“Such fires, are extremely dangerous and the people from this region have suffered enough. The raging fires are a serious health hazard and therefore, the MMC should ensure that fire management arrangements are in place within one month as undertaken by them. The Assistant Engineer of MMC shall be responsible for ensuring that the fire arrangements are in place within a month from today at the site”, the High Court had observed in its April 12 directions.

Incidentally, though the MMC had submitted an Action plan to put the fire arrangement in place at Sonsodo, the civic body is believed to have purchased only four fire extinguishers, while the plan to install six fire hydrants at various locations around the existing MSW shed has not yet seen light of the day.