VASCO
Residents of Hollant-Issorcim on Saturday voiced concern over moves to set up a garbage Material Recovery Facility (MRF) in the area.
Speaking to reporters, the residents said they have filed police complaints to demand the cancellation of the project as it is being proposed on a hill in close proximity to a residential area.
A resident M R Singh said trees were being felled for the project and said there could also be a chance of a landslide for villagers living on the base of the hill.
“We had staged a dharna and also filed a police complaint at the Vasco and Verna police stations, after which the work has been stopped.”
“The panchayat must scrap this project because if the MRF is set up in the area atop the hill, waste could flow down with the rain and reach the houses below, causing a health hazard in the area," said Singh.
Another resident, Sunny Naik, said the residents were not aware nor informed about the proposed MRF facility.
"We have been staying here for more than 50 years and this project could contaminate water in our wells," said Naik.
Rakesh Unny, another resident, said there were two open spaces which were part of a residential colony.
"Without notice, we were suddenly were given to understand that an MRF project is being taken up. When I moved in here 10 years ago, the local panch had said the open spaces would be utilised for gardens and play areas.”
“But having an MRF for the entire panchayat jurisdiction in a private open space of a residential colony is a shock to us," said Unny.
