MARGAO
A stone crusher site at Rassaim-Loutolim has become a waste dumping site with mixed and other waste being dumped in the water body, leaving the water contaminated.
Nuvem MLA Wilfred D’Sa along with Loutolim Sarpanch Tony Vaz inspected the site along with locals of Rassaim, only to find the site being illegally converted into a waste dump yard, contaminating the water body and posing a health hazard to the neighbouring residents.
Locals fear that if the reckless and unauthorized waste dumping goes unchecked by the authorities, including the District Collector South and the Goa Pollution Control Board officials, the adjoining fields and the spring water may be devastated by the pollution.
After taking a look at the waste dump, the Nuvem MLA told the media that the site poses a nuisance and is a health hazard to the nearby residents. “We cannot stand at the site because of the foul smell emanating from the dump. People cultivate the fields at Rassaim and the contaminated waters may leave their fields devastated and pose a health hazard to the farmers,” he said.
D’Sa pointed out that close examination of the waste has revealed that the waste has been collected from somewhere else and dumped at Rassaim. “On a previous occasion, a contractor from Mormugao was found dumping the waste at Loutolim. It appears that waste from the taluka is being collected and dumped in the village,” the MLA said, while promising to write a letter to the GSPCB and the District Collector for immediate action.
Loutolim Sarpanch Tony Vaz said the contaminated water from the site may pollute a nearby spring, which is used for irrigation by the local farmers. “We have found documents from the site and it is clear that the waste has come from Vasco. I suspect that a Minister is also involved in this operation,” he said, while adding that the police have not been proactive in cracking a whip against the miscreants.
The Sarpanch feared that thermocol and plastic waste from the site may choke the drains and water bodies during the monsoons once the water flows down.
He demanded that the government initiate stern action against the miscreants involved in the criminal act.
