VALPOI
A truck was found allegedly dumping industrial waste, potentially hazardous to the environment and human health, near the local cremation ground and close to a residential area at Narayan Nagar in Honda-Sattari, sparking anger among locals.
After receiving information that large quantities of waste had been dumped at the site over the past few days, local residents rushed to the spot on Friday.
A truck that had arrived to dump the waste was caught by local social activists Rupesh Poke and Ravi Shetye, along with other residents. The matter was immediately brought to the attention of the Valpoi Police.
Following the complaint, a team from the Valpoi Police visited the site and inspected the area. A large quantity of waste was found dumped in the open.
According to local residents, the waste is suspected to have originated from a factory operating in the Honda Industrial Estate. They alleged that the industrial unit generates a considerable quantity of waste, which is being dumped in the open near the cremation ground and residential area.
Residents expressed concern that dumping industrial waste so close to homes could pose a serious environmental and public health risk.
They claimed that a foul smell has been spreading throughout the area for the past four days. They also expressed concern that contaminated liquid from the waste dumped on the hilly portion could flow towards lower areas, potentially affecting the soil, water sources and surrounding environment.
Residents have demanded an investigation into the source of the waste, the company responsible for generating it, whether the vehicle was authorised to transport the waste and whether the dumping location was an officially approved disposal site.
They questioned how such large quantities of waste could allegedly be dumped near a residential area for several days without coming to the notice of local authorities. They have urged the Honda Panchayat and other authorities to inspect the site and take appropriate action.
Social activists Rupesh Poke and Ravi Shetye have filed a written complaint at the Valpoi Police Station regarding the incident. Copies of the complaint have also been submitted to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, the Goa State Pollution Control Board, Directorate of Panchayats and other authorities.
