The shoulder of the road leading to Fatorda and Margao has become a self-declared inert waste and garbage dumping site for several people of Salcete. Road sides, mostly bypasses and major state roads in Fatorda and some in Margao, are defaced with debris and building construction material. During the rains the debris will enter the fields. Fear has been raised of the fields turning barren and the wells turning dry due to the artificial mutation of the land and mud due to the debris.
Tonnes of piling debris has increased to such an extent that vehicles can’t see approaching vehicles from the other side especially on the turns.
The dumping takes place almost daily in Fatorda, the constituency of Agriculture Minister Vijai Sardesai. When Herald took to the road to have a closer view, a truck was seen unloading waste on the side of the road. Tonnes of inert waste are being dumped on the sides of the Arlem Bypass to Nuvem junction road. Herald met the farmers who informed Herald team that this has been happening after night fall.
A farmer named Joanita Barbosa growing vegetables for a living in the fields besides the road said, “We have been complaining regarding the problem for years now, but the situation hasn’t improved. Is anyone looking at this mess?”
Another Farmer Idalina Barretto explained that the inert waste like broken tiles, glass shards, slabs of cement and other non permeable elements have risen in the mud besides the fields. “There was a natural mechanism of water passage through the now constructed road which was ideal for rabbi crops in monsoon. However, the permeability has reduced to such an extent that the lowered moisture content in the land can be felt now,” said Idalina.
Idalina lives in Raia and grows the red leafy, and green leafy vegetables, lady fingers and others. Selling vegetables is the only source of income for her family.
Joanita said that there was an incident where a truck was seen dumping some waste and when questioned he fled the spot in high speed. “One of our farmers tried to get hold of him but was not successful. We filed complaints but there is no respite from the problem,” told Joanita.
The uncontrolled dumping at this road is a showcase of how the authorities have turned a blind eye to the real issues.
Similarly, the lane off the Ravanfond Junction has been a favourite dumping spot for decades.
The PWD has been giving earth for various projects like highways, grounds and others which need filling. But sadly, this construction waste which can be a good land fill has never been looked at as an option. This has resulted in uncontrolled dumping of waste besides highways. This bypass road connecting Arlem to Nuvem has not been lit up which gives added advantage to the illegal dumping and has also become a death trap for two-wheeler riders travelling after dark.
A social activist Laurel Abranches said, “I am surprised how this degradation of fields continues to happen in the constituency of the Agriculture Minister of Goa. It is time that he steps in and gets clear guidance issued to law enforcement as well as the authorities responsible for roads to stop it and get it cleaned immediately.”
Laurel also questioned the MMC for not following up and completing the Landfill site which if in place on time could have avoided this degradation.
Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai had earlier claimed of working out a model wherein this dumping will stop as well as lot of municipal land could be filled and used. The Minister is now being urged by the farmers to look into the matter and stop the dumping immediately.
The eastern NH bypass at Margao with uncleared garbage has turned into a garbage yard.
The garbage littered on the NH eastern bypass between Floriano Vaz circle to Aquem Power House circle on either side makes the road side look like a garbage yard.
As the garbage-filled bags and other plastic waste is littered on both the sides of the eastern bypass between Floriano Vaz circle and Aquem Power House circle it’s become a breeding ground for rodents and snakes on the entire stretch of this road.
Rats and dogs are seen having a great time scavenging and feasting on the rejects of food waste, dead animals, and all types of other waste including construction debris at this part, as there is no authority to keep a tab on the culprits who are mostly highway users and locals. There are mounds and heaps of organic as well as synthetic waste giving an eye sore look to the outskirts of Margao town.
Pravin Kakode, a leading businessman who frequents this route to and fro from his home to office, says “Clean city is about two basic things awareness and ownership. I feel we all Goans should do our little bit to preserve our beautiful land for our future generations. It is really a pain to see our town in such a mess.”
