Team Herald
VASCO: The authorities have had several meetings and inspections of garbage dumping sites near Dabolim airport in view of the frequent bird-hit incidents. Additionally, the South Goa Collector Sachin Shinde has directed the panchayats to clear the garbage dumps and regularly monitor the area. However, the situation never improved and has only worsened.
One site that could prove dangerous for aircrafts as it falls directly under the flight path is near MES College, Zuarinagar. The State administration has prohibited garbage dumping at this site – and it has even been pointed out by the Indian navy – but all efforts to keep this busy junction free from garbage have been futile.
“This site is critical and has to be garbage-free. It is very important to have some mechanism in place to avoid more bird-hit incidents,” said Mohammad Rafiq, a Zuarinagar local.
Sancoale sarpanch Ramakant Borkar had recently cleared the site, but within a day, garbage was piling up once more. He stated, “We have been removing the garbage, but people, especially motorists, still dump their garbage near the MES College junction. It is also the joint responsibility of police to intensify their patrolling so that we can keep the area garbage free.
Ever since Shinde had held the first meeting on the issue of garbage around the airfield, Herald has been constantly following up the case with the sole aim of highlighting to the authorities that besides having closed-door meetings, one has to ensure that all the directions are strictly followed to bring the issue to its logical conclusion.
