the goan I network
VALPOI
Villagers from Patwal-Khotoda in Sattari taluka have raised serious concern over dumping of chemical waste in an unused laterite quarry pit, which is situated nearby to the residential area.
Patwal and Khotoda villages are in the Khotoda Panchayat and a laterite quarry was operating in the area for many years, but was stopped two years ago due to some unknown reason.
Now, the area is left with a huge pit and during rainy season, water is accumulated in the pit. There is no compound wall around the pit. Now, this pit is almost full of chemical waste, which may flow during rainy season.
According to the villagers, a person has been dumping chemical waste in the unused quarry pit for the last one year one. "It may have harmful effect on health of the people and also bad effect on the environment," said a villager.
Speaking to The Goan, a villager Vishnu Gaonkar expressed displeasure over the situation. "The local panchayat is also not serious about the situation in this area. A truck is repeatedly seen dumping chemical waste in the pit," he said.
A youth, Subhash Gaonkar said: "Now, the entire village gets smell and we are repeatedly demanding serious action against dumping of chemical waste in the area. We also blame the Khotoda Panchayat authorities for neglecting the issue when it is very sensitive issue, as health of the villagers is concerned," he said.
