MAPUSA
The Mapusa Municipal Council (MMC) has long grappled with waste collection issues within the city, and the situation has reached an intolerable point with waste remaining uncollected for over five months near the residence of the former MLA of Mapusa.
The problem of waste accumulation at Shetya-vaddo, Mapusa dates back to August last year. Despite numerous complaints from Siddesh Diukar, son of former Mapusa MLA Chandrashekar (Babu) Diukar, and other residents, the MMC has failed to address the mounting pile of garden waste.
Repeated appeals to local councillors, as well as the former chairperson Priya Mishal and the local MLA Joshua D’Souza, have fallen on deaf ears.
Despite assurances, including promises made before festivals such as Ganesh Chaturthi, Diwali, Christmas, and New Year, the waste dump continues to blight the neighbourhood.
A resident of Shetya-vaddo Mapusa, Ninette Pereira expressed frustration, stating that requests made as early as September last year have gone unheeded. Even Siddesh Diukar's efforts to engage with local councillors and civic officials have been futile, as the garbage dump remains untouched.
“When the MMC collects garbage tax from the citizens, they are bound to clear the roadside waste. If they want us to pay extra, then at least they should inform us to do so. The huge dump has become an eyesore in the area,” Diukar said.
The dump site is situated at the border of wards 11 and 7 represented by councillors Kishori Korgoankar and Tarak Arolkar, respectively.
MMC Chief Officer Chandrakant Shetkar acknowledged the challenge in clearing waste from open areas despite smooth door-to-door waste collection operations. He assured the residents that the dump would be cleared promptly, expressing sympathy for their plight.
The local residents are frustrated by the lack of action from MMC, especially considering the taxes they pay for garbage collection.
