the goan I network
MARGAO
After showing unity on the issue of river Mhadei wherein they were both part of an all-party delegation to Delhi, will Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai and Margao MLA Digambar Kamat show the same urgency to help and assist the Margao Municipal Council to overcome and resolve the commercial capital’s garbage crisis?
This question has been raised by both the city fathers and the babus as the garbage crisis staring at the city shows no signs of improvement and on the contrary has grown from bad to worse. The garbage management logistics have not fallen in place due to a host of factors, post the High Court order barring open dumping of waste at Sonsodo.
Both the MLAs have been prominent invitees at the Chief Minister Pramod Sawant-headed High Powered Coordination Committee (HPCC) meeting on Sonsodo held last month.
Municipal officials in the know, however, say while the long-term suggestions made at the HPCC meeting were all welcomed to resolve the Sonsodo issue, they certainly expect the two MLAs to play their role in bringing about coordination amongst various government departments.
The civic body is scouting for space to set up decentralized dry waste baling machines. We expect the two MLAs to help us find a place to carry out this activity, they said.
Otherwise, consider this. For quite some time, the MMC had been knocking the doors of the Margao Industrial Estate, the KTC and may also want support from the Konkan Railway Corporation, besides the health department to part with some space to set up the baling machines.
The officials say that coordination from the local MLAs can get things moving and help arrange the space for the baling machines. “The KTC and the health department have in their possession land which can be used to set up the baling machines. Intervention from the Industries Minister can help in leasing out a shed in the Margao Industrial Estate for the purpose,” a civic official said, adding, “Given that the KRC has a huge chunk of acquired land at Margao, earmarking just 500 square meters for baling will help clean up the city.”
As things stand today, the MMC has in its possession around four baling machines and plans to procure another two to handle the 15 tonnes of dry waste generated in the city. Presently, only two out of the four machines are operating for want of land.
Officials pointed out that two or more such baling machines can start working if these government departments lease out their premises for setting up these.
With no solution in sight at the black spots, which are an eyesore with mixed waste of neighbouring villages, civic officials pointed out that joint meetings by the two MLAs with the police could help. They could impress upon the police to set up a system in place to carry out patrolling of the black spots and rein in on the miscreants and unscrupulous waste contractors who dump garbage, the officials stated.
