It is often said that cleanliness is next to godliness. In order to assure hygienic conditions for public at large, the state government had initiated ‘Swachcha Goa Mission’ a few years back. However, no favourable results have been achieved as yet and scenes of garbage scattered all over continues to be a common phenomenon. In Ponda, people are accustomed to dumping garbage along roadsides and also in open areas. The scattered garbage remains uncleared for long and the situation turns unhygienic for travellers and pedestrians alike. Seen in the picture is scattered plastic garbage along the stretch of road leading from the military camp at Varkhandem towards Farmagudi. Household garbage has been regularly dumped at this strategic spot and the situation tends to be detrimental for precious human lives. It is absolutely necessary for the authorities concerned to undertake surprise checking and penalising defaulters. Unless the authorities deal firmly with this ever-growing menace, no positive change would be achieved at any instance. No doubt, hygienic conditions must be achieved at all costs.
