MARGAO
The High Court on Wednesday made it abundantly clear to all concerned that they should strictly adhere to the timelines on Sonsodo and complete the works within the timeframe.
The High Court observation came after the Margao Municipal Council (MMC) filed a compliance report before the Court on the situation at Sonsodo, submitting timelines on a host of works proposed at the waste treatment site.
Resuming hearing on the issue exactly a week after the Court pulled up MMC for its failure to execute the Action plan, the High Court also heard the submission made by the municipal counsel over the status of the piled-up waste, approximately around 10,000 metric tonnes.
The Goa Waste Management Corporation (GWMC) had recommended to the MMC to remove 5,000 out of the total 10,000 metric tonnes of piled-up waste and store it in the basement of the shed, which had in the past played host to the compost. The MMC, however, is believed to have submitted that the space suggested by the GWMC may at the most play host to around 300 metric tonnes of the waste, even as the civic body has suggested that the best way to contain fires at the shed is to churn out the waste with machinery.
After hearing the submissions, the Court adjourned the case to July 26 to enable the MMC to report further compliance/progress.
MMC officials informed that the civic body has submitted fresh timelines in the Court on Wednesday to complete the infrastructural projects which were part of the Action Plan submitted on April 12.
The MMC also filed a compliance report on the July 11 directions issued by the Director of Municipal Administration, which includes transporting 30 tonnes of wet waste to Saligao, setting up an office at Sonsodo and transferring the municipal engineers at the site, shifting the dry waste bales etc.
Sources in the know said the Court was informed that MMC Chief Officer Gaurish Shankhwalkar has written letters to the contractors to complete the works as per schedule.
MMC officials informed that after the High Court hearing on Wednesday morning, senior municipal engineers headed to Sonsodo to monitor the implementation of the works taken up at the waste dumping site.
Confusion over ban on issuance of construction licences
MARGAO
Has the High Court directions to the Margao Municipal Council (MMC) to keep the issuance of construction licences on hold till the next date of hearing continues till further hearing of the Sonsodo imbroglio or is the civic body free to issue the licences from Wednesday?
This question seemed to do the rounds on Wednesday after the High Court hearing the PIL on Sonsodo.
At the last date of the hearing on July 12, the Court directed the MMC not to issue any construction licences till the next date of the hearing. The matter came up before the Court on Wednesday before adjournment to July 26 to enable the MMC to report further compliance in the matter.
With no specific directions on whether to continue to keep the construction licences on hold or not, Chief Officer Gaurish Shankhwalkar is believed to have decided to seek an opinion from the municipal counsel on how to go about the matter in respect of the issuance of construction licences.
