the goan I network
PANAJI
The Bombay High Court at Goa has directed that 5,000 square metres of land within the Sonsodo dump be temporarily set aside for the remediation of the existing legacy dump and for storage of refuse derived fuel (RDF).
Expressing the need for ‘urgency’ the High Court also directed that work of barricading the area begin on Friday itself (as the hearing was taking place) to avoid delay and directed MMC to deposit an amount of Rs 1 crore within 7 days from today, with Goa Waste Management Corporation so that the work of the landfill site can commence immediately.
“As we hear the arguments in this petition, fire is raging at the Sonsodo dump site. Apprehensions expressed by petitioners in this petition, unfortunately, have come true,” the High Court observed.
The Advocate General, however assured the Court that all measures have been taken to curtail the raging fire.
“We refer to these fires only to emphasise that the situation of really grave emergency has arisen at the Sonsodo dump. Unless immediate and coordinated efforts are undertaken by all concerned, the Sonsodo dump, will pose a severe threat, not just to the environment but also to the health and life of residents in the locality,” the Court ruled.
“A plot of land admeasuring 5000 sq.mtrs belonging to the Goa State Urban Development Agency (GSUDA) which has been identified, is directed to be used for temporary storage of the Refused Derived Fuel (RDF), initially, till April, 2020. The Goa Waste Management Corporation (GWMC) shall assess the situation by April, 2020 and decide on the further course of action with regard to the place of storage,” the High Court ruled.
“The Margao Municipal Council (MMC), is directed to forthwith barricade this identified area… this work of barricading will commence today itself by 2.30 pm as assured to us by the Chief Officer of MMC. The officers from GWMC as well as from GSUDA will be present at the site at 2.15 pm itself today, so that there are no excuses on the part of the MMC to commence with the barricading operations,” the Court directed.
“The landfill site at Sonsodo will be used temporarily for storage of inerts, again, initially, till April, 2020. By April, 2020, the GWMC will assess the situation and decide further course of action to be adopted. The GWMC shall do the testing of inerts. The hazardous waste, if any, will however, have to be sent to the secured landfill site at Pissurlem, Sattari, Goa. Efforts will also be made to use the non-hazardous inerts for backfilling road constructions, etc,” the court ruled.
The GWMC should endeavor to complete this work as expeditiously as possible and preferably within a period of 30 days from today. The High Court has now posted the matter for December 20.
